AR HB1174

Amends Arkansas Criminal Code § 5-1-102(13) to define "person" to include an unborn child from fertilization until birth for purposes of homicide statutes (§§ 5-10-101–105 and 5-4-604).

Establishes exceptions to unborn child protections for lawful medical procedures including legal abortions, ectopic pregnancy removal, diagnostic testing, therapeutic treatment, medical research, assisted reproduction technology, and in vitro fertilization procedures.

Clarifies that pregnant women cannot be charged with criminal offenses related to the death of their own unborn child, but all other criminal code provisions apply to prosecutions for unborn child deaths.

Amends Arkansas Code § 16-62-102 to allow wrongful death civil actions for unborn children, with exceptions for legal abortions, pregnant woman's fault, assisted reproduction technology, IVF procedures, and FDA-approved contraception.

Declares the act an emergency measure effective immediately upon Governor approval, without veto approval, or veto override; applies prospectively only to conduct committed after the effective date.