SR 14 Summary

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

• Establishes civil liability framework allowing private parties to sue anyone who performs, induces, or aids/abets an abortion in violation of the law, including those who pay for or reimburse abortion costs.

• Provides statutory damages of at least $10,000 per abortion violation, plus injunctive relief, nominal and compensatory damages, and attorney's fees to prevailing plaintiffs.

• Defines "unborn child" as beginning at fertilization and includes exceptions for removal of dead unborn children and ectopic pregnancies; women who obtain abortions cannot be charged criminally or held civilly liable.

• Declares an emergency effective date and is supplemental to existing Arkansas abortion laws; includes extensive severability provisions to preserve the law if portions are found unconstitutional.