SB149 Summary

• Creates the "Arkansas Human Life Protection Act" defining "unborn child" as an individual organism of the species Homo sapiens from fertilization until live birth.

• Prohibits any person from purposely performing or attempting to perform an abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency, classified as an unclassified felony with penalties up to $100,000 fine or 10 years imprisonment.

• Exempts women from criminal charges related to the death of their own unborn child and does not prohibit contraceptive measures administered before pregnancy could be determined.

• Provides an affirmative defense for licensed physicians whose medical treatment to a pregnant woman results in accidental or unintentional injury or death to the unborn child.

• Becomes effective only upon Attorney General certification that either the U.S. Supreme Court overrules Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, or a constitutional amendment restores Arkansas authority to prohibit abortion.