HB1301
To Amend The Arkansas Human Life Protection Act And The Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act To Exclude An Abortion In The Case Of A Fetal Abnormality Incompatible With Life.
Last Action (May 1, 2023): Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1301 proposes amendments to the Arkansas Human Life Protection Act and the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act. The bill seeks to expand the existing exceptions under which an abortion may be performed. Currently, these acts generally prohibit abortion unless necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman in a medical emergency. HB 1301 would add a second exception to these prohibitions, allowing for abortions in cases where a fetus has an abnormality that is medically determined to be incompatible with life.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries would be pregnant individuals who receive a medical diagnosis indicating that the fetus has a condition incompatible with life, as this bill would provide a legal avenue for them to obtain an abortion within the state. Additionally, medical providers would benefit from clearer legal guidance regarding when they may legally perform an abortion in such circumstances without fear of prosecution under these specific statutes.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary impact of this legislation would be experienced by anti-abortion advocacy groups and individuals who hold the view that abortion should remain prohibited in all circumstances, including those involving fetal abnormalities. These groups may view the expansion of legal exceptions as a weakening of the state's protections for unborn life.
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