Arkansas House Bill HB1301

Arkansas 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/26/23
• Refer: 1/26/23
• Failed: 5/1/23

Caption

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.

Impact

If passed, HB1301 would fundamentally alter the legal landscape surrounding abortion in Arkansas. By permitting abortions in specific medical circumstances, the bill could improve healthcare decision-making for families confronted with difficult prenatal diagnoses. Proponents of the bill argue that it is a compassionate response to the realities faced by parents who learn their unborn child will not survive, while also representing a shift towards more nuanced considerations of reproductive rights in the state.

Summary

House Bill 1301 aims to amend existing state laws, specifically the Arkansas Human Life Protection Act and the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act, to allow for abortions in cases where a fetus is diagnosed with a condition incompatible with life. This legislative change introduces significant exceptions to the current prohibitions on abortion, which generally only allow the procedure in cases of medical emergencies affecting the life of the pregnant woman. The intention behind HB1301 is to address the ethical and emotional challenges faced by women carrying pregnancies with severe fetal anomalies.

Contention

The discussion surrounding HB1301 is likely to be contentious, as it touches upon deeply held beliefs about abortion and the rights of the unborn. Supporters argue that it expands necessary medical options for women, while opponents may view it as a slippery slope that challenges the core principles of the existing abortion laws in Arkansas. The potential for intense lobbying from both pro-choice and pro-life groups could influence the bill's progress and shape future legislation on reproductive health in the state.