SR 15 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 civil liability enforcement mechanism allowing any person or entity (except state/local government) to sue those who perform, induce, or aid/abet abortions in violation of the law, regardless of knowledge of the violation.

• 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.

• Exempts the pregnant woman from criminal charges and civil liability, and prohibits suits by those who impregnated the woman through rape, sexual assault, or incest.

• Declares an emergency effective immediately upon governor approval, citing increased abortions in Arkansas and burden on the healthcare system from out-of-state residents seeking abortions.