HB1010 Summary

• Creates the Arkansas Human Heartbeat and Human Life Civil Justice Act, prohibiting abortion except to save a pregnant woman's life in a medical emergency.

• Allows any Arkansas resident or entity to bring civil actions against persons or entities who perform, induce, or aid/abet abortions in violation of the law, with statutory damages of at least $10,000 per violation plus costs and attorney's fees.

• Exempts women upon whom abortions are performed from criminal charges and civil liability, and protects contraceptive use when administered before pregnancy can be detected.

• Restricts defendants' ability to assert third-party rights of women seeking abortions as a defense, and eliminates "undue burden" defenses if the U.S. Supreme Court overrules Roe v. Wade or Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

• Declares the act an emergency measure effective immediately upon the Governor's approval, citing increases in out-of-state individuals seeking abortions in Arkansas and prior enjoined abortion legislation.