HB1011
To Create The Restore Roe Act; And To Restore A Woman's Access To Abortion Services.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, titled the "Restore Roe Act," aims to restore access to abortion services in Arkansas. It seeks to allow abortion up to the point of fetal viability, as previously established by Roe v. Wade. The bill specifies limited exceptions for abortions after fetal viability, including those necessary for the health or life of the mother, and in cases of rape or incest involving a minor. To achieve this, the bill repeals existing Arkansas laws that prohibit most abortions. These repealed sections include the "Arkansas Human Life Protection Act" and the "Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act." The intent is to permit abortion services under the outlined conditions, thereby protecting what the bill refers to as "the health and safety of women and babies."
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
If enacted, the primary beneficiaries of the "Restore Roe Act" would be women in Arkansas seeking abortion services. This includes individuals who wish to terminate a pregnancy up to the point of fetal viability. It also benefits women for whom an abortion is deemed necessary to preserve their life or health, or in cases of rape or incest involving a minor, as these situations are explicitly outlined as exceptions where abortion would be permissible. Healthcare providers who offer abortion services would also benefit from the ability to perform these procedures within the legal framework established by the bill.
Who Might Suffer?
The "Restore Roe Act" would negatively impact the existing legal framework in Arkansas that prohibits most abortions. Specifically, it would repeal the "Arkansas Human Life Protection Act" and the "Arkansas Unborn Child Protection Act," which currently aim to abolish abortion and protect unborn children from conception. Organizations and individuals advocating for the protection of unborn fetuses would likely oppose this bill, viewing it as detrimental to their cause. The state's current stance, as reflected in its existing laws and constitutional amendment, which prioritizes the protection of unborn life, would be significantly altered.