AR SB148

Defines "infant who is born alive" as any child completely expelled or extracted from the mother showing evidence of life (breathing, heartbeat, umbilical cord pulsation, or voluntary muscle movement), regardless of gestational development.

Prohibits physicians and healthcare professionals from denying nourishment or medically appropriate care to born-alive infants, including those with disabilities or born as a result of abortion procedures.

Requires physicians performing abortions to take medically appropriate steps to preserve life and health of any born-alive infant, and mandates specific reporting and transfer procedures depending on whether the abortion occurs in a hospital or other healthcare facility.

Establishes that born-alive infants become wards of the state if parents stated in writing before the abortion that they do not wish to keep the infant, and prohibits experimental use of born-alive infants except to preserve their life and health.

Provides civil action for damages, professional disciplinary action by healthcare licensing boards, and wrongful death claims for violations; effective January 1, 2018.