Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Prohibits abortions after a physician has determined that a fetus has reached a probable post-fertilization age of 20 weeks except in the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
• A medical emergency; or
• The pregnancy was a result of rape or incest.

• Defines “probable post-fertilization age” as the age of the fetus since fertilization as determined by “reasonable” medical judgment (Sec. 1).

• Defines “medical emergency” as a condition for which a delay to determine the post-fertilization age of the fetus may result in the death or serious injury of the pregnant woman (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a medical emergency does not include a condition based on a claim or diagnosis that a pregnant woman intends to engage in conduct which may result in her death or serious injury (Sec. 1).

• Requires a physician to perform the abortion in a manner which will provide the best opportunity for the fetus to survive unless termination of the pregnancy in that manner poses a greater risk of death or serious injury of the pregnant woman than another available method (Sec. 1).

• Requires a physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion to report the abortion to the Department of Health (Sec. 1).

• Classifies a violation of this bill by a physician as a Class D felony (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the father of the fetus or the patient upon whom the abortion was performed, in violation of this bill, to file a civil action against the physician who performed the abortion (Sec 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Prohibits abortions after a physician has determined that a fetus has reached a probable post-fertilization age of 20 weeks except in the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
• A medical emergency; or
• The pregnancy was a result of rape or incest.

• Defines “probable post-fertilization age” as the age of the fetus since fertilization as determined by “reasonable” medical judgment (Sec. 1).

• Defines “medical emergency” as a condition for which a delay to determine the post-fertilization age of the fetus may result in the death or serious injury of the pregnant woman (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a medical emergency does not include a condition based on a claim or diagnosis that a pregnant woman intends to engage in conduct which may result in her death or serious injury (Sec. 1).

• Requires a physician to perform the abortion in a manner which will provide the best opportunity for the fetus to survive unless termination of the pregnancy in that manner poses a greater risk of death or serious injury of the pregnant woman than another available method (Sec. 1).

• Requires a physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion to report the abortion to the Department of Health (Sec. 1).

• Classifies a violation of this bill by a physician as a Class D felony (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the father of the fetus or the patient upon whom the abortion was performed, in violation of this bill, to file a civil action against the physician who performed the abortion (Sec 1).

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor Mike Beebe

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Prohibits abortions after a physician has determined that a fetus has reached a probable post-fertilization age of 20 weeks except in the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
• A medical emergency; or
• The pregnancy was a result of rape or incest.

• Defines “probable post-fertilization age” as the age of the fetus since fertilization as determined by “reasonable” medical judgment (Sec. 1).

• Defines “medical emergency” as a condition for which a delay to determine the post-fertilization age of the fetus may result in the death or serious injury of the pregnant woman (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a medical emergency does not include a condition based on a claim or diagnosis that a pregnant woman intends to engage in conduct which may result in her death or serious injury (Sec. 1).

• Requires a physician to perform the abortion in a manner which will provide the best opportunity for the fetus to survive unless termination of the pregnancy in that manner poses a greater risk of death or serious injury of the pregnant woman than another available method (Sec. 1).

• Requires a physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion to report the abortion to the Department of Health (Sec. 1).

• Classifies a violation of this bill by a physician as a Class D felony (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the father of the fetus or the patient upon whom the abortion was performed in violation of this bill to file a civil action against the physician who performed the abortion (Sec 1). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, effective immediately.

Highlights:

• Prohibits abortions after a physician has determined that a fetus has reached a probable post-fertilization age of 20 weeks except in the following circumstances (Sec. 1):
• A medical emergency; or
• The pregnancy was a result of rape or incest.

• Defines “probable post-fertilization age” as the age of the fetus since fertilization as determined by “reasonable” medical judgment (Sec. 1).

• Defines “medical emergency” as a condition for which a delay to determine the post-fertilization age of the fetus may result in the death or serious injury of the pregnant woman (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a medical emergency does not include a condition based on a claim or diagnosis that a pregnant woman intends to engage in conduct which may result in her death or serious injury (Sec. 1).

• Requires a physician to perform the abortion in a manner which will provide the best opportunity for the fetus to survive unless termination of the pregnancy in that manner poses a greater risk of death or serious injury of the pregnant woman than another available method (Sec. 1).

• Requires a physician who performs or attempts to perform an abortion to report the abortion to the Department of Health (Sec. 1).

• Classifies a violation of this bill by a physician as a Class D felony (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the father of the fetus or the patient upon whom the abortion was performed in violation of this bill to file a civil action against the physician who performed the abortion (Sec 1). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, effective immediately.

Full Bill Text