HR 1013 Summary

• Authorizes introduction of 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 (except state/local government) to sue those who perform, induce, or aid/abet abortions in violation of the law, with statutory damages of at least $10,000 per abortion plus injunctive relief, nominal damages, and attorney's fees.

• Exempts women who obtain abortions from criminal charges or civil liability, and prohibits public enforcement by state/local officials; also exempts abortions performed by federal agencies or under federal law.

• Defines "unborn child" as beginning at fertilization and specifies "abortion" does not include contraception, removal of ectopic pregnancies, or spontaneous abortion removal.

• Declares an emergency and establishes that the law is supplemental to existing Arkansas abortion restrictions, with broad severability provisions to preserve the law if any portions are found unconstitutional.