HB1012 Summary

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

• Establishes private civil liability allowing any person or entity to sue those who perform, induce, or aid/abet abortions in violation of the law, with statutory damages of at least $10,000 per violation plus injunctive relief, nominal and compensatory damages, and attorney's fees.

• Exempts pregnant women from criminal charges or civil liability; prohibits state enforcement and requires exclusive private enforcement; provides affirmative defenses for defendants meeting certain conditions and for federal actors under federal law.

• Defines "unborn child" as a human organism from fertilization until live birth; clarifies that contraceptive use before pregnancy detection and treatment to save the child's life or remove ectopic pregnancies are not considered abortions.

• Declares an emergency, making the act effective immediately upon Governor approval, veto expiration, or veto override; states the provisions are supplemental to existing Arkansas abortion restrictions.