SR 12 Summary

• Authorizes introduction of a bill creating 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 civil liability allowing any person or entity (except government) to sue those who perform, induce, or aid abortions in violation of the law, with minimum statutory damages of $10,000 per abortion and potential awards for injunctive relief, compensatory damages, and attorney's fees.

• Prohibits state enforcement of the law and prevents government entities from participating in civil actions, restricting enforcement exclusively to private civil suits.

• Provides affirmative defenses including reasonable belief in legal compliance, and exempts abortions performed at federal agencies' behest if prohibition would violate preemption or intergovernmental immunity doctrines.

• Declares an emergency for immediate effectiveness, citing increased out-of-state individuals seeking abortions in Arkansas and harm to unborn children and pregnant women's health.