Arkansas SB53 Summary

• Requires physicians to physically administer mifepristone or other abortion-inducing drugs in the same room where the patient is present, rather than remotely or through alternative means.

• Mandates follow-up visits 12-18 days after drug administration for physicians to confirm pregnancy termination and assess the patient's medical condition, with documentation of efforts in medical records.

• Authorizes the Arkansas State Medical Board to revoke the license of any physician found to have violated these requirements.

• Creates civil causes of action allowing pregnant women, married fathers of the unborn child, and maternal grandparents to sue abortion providers for actual and punitive damages for violations; permits citizens to seek injunctions against repeat violators.

• Prohibits penalties against the pregnant woman and exempts her from liability for obtaining or possessing abortion-inducing drugs; allows anonymity protections in civil proceedings at the court's discretion.