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New Legislation Would Bring Clarity to Arkansas’ Abortion Laws

Feb 27, 2025Jerry CoxAbortionAbortion, Arkansas Legislature, Life, Pro-life, Sanctity of Human Life

A bill filed at the Arkansas Legislature on Wednesday aims to clarify state law concerning abortion.

In 2019, Arkansas passed Act 180 prohibiting abortion except to save the life of the mother in a medical emergency. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Roe v. Wade, the state began enforcing Act 180. Today, abortion in Arkansas is prohibited except when the mother’s life is at risk in a medical emergency.

H.B. 1610 by Rep. Robin Lundstrum (R — Elm Springs) and Sen. Jimmy Hickey (R — Texarkana) would clarify the definition of “medical emergency” in cases where the mother’s life is at risk. The bill would also strengthen legal protections for doctors who treat pregnant women, and would make it clear that abortion remains illegal in Arkansas except to save the life of the mother.

H.B. 1610 would help clarify that “medical emergency” refers to situations where the woman’s life is in danger from a physical disorder, illness, or injury.

The bill says that psychological or emotional conditions cannot be used to justify abortion. This would help prevent an abortionist or a judge from trying to broaden Arkansas’ exceptions for abortion.

H.B. 1610 outlines how doctors decide if an abortion is necessary to save a mother’s life.

Under H.B. 1610, physicians would use “reasonable medical judgment” to determine whether abortion is necessary. This is the same medical and legal standard used to make other important medical decisions.

The bill also says that a child should not be aborted when there are other ways besides abortion to save the life of the mother.

And H.B. 1610 makes it clear that a doctor does not violate the law if an unborn child accidentally or unintentionally dies because of legitimate medical treatment the doctor provided to the mother.

All of this would help close possible loopholes in Arkansas’ abortion law.

Arkansas has been named the most pro-life state in America, and lawmakers have enacted dozens of good measures protecting women and unborn children from abortion — including laws that generally prohibit abortion except to save the life of the mother.

H.B. 1610 is a good bill that would bring better clarity to Arkansas’ abortion laws and make it easier for the state to continue protecting innocent human life.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

High Risk: Another Study Finds Marijuana Use During Pregnancy Harms Newborns

Feb 27, 2025Jerry CoxMarijuanaMarijuana

Yet another study has found a possible link between marijuana use during pregnancy and lower birthweight.

Decreased birthweight is associated with health problems and developmental delays in children.

Researchers from Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University surveyed pregnant women at 23 clinics across Michigan between 2017 and 2022. The study found 15% of women surveyed indicated they used marijuana during pregnancy.

Time and again, science has shown a link between marijuana use during pregnancy and harm to unborn and newborn children.

In 2021, researchers in California found infants were 35% more likely to die within a year of birth if the mother used marijuana heavily; the study also found that infants were more likely to be born preterm, have a low birth weight, and be small for their gestational age.

A 2022 study published in JAMA Pediatrics showed children and adolescents face an increased risk of mental disorder if their mothers used marijuana during pregnancy.

Researchers found marijuana use during pregnancy was associated with attention, social, and behavioral problems that last as children enter early adolescence and may put children at an increased risk of mental disorders and substance use as they grow older.

A 2023 study published in the journal Frontiers In Pediatrics found marijuana use during pregnancy could decrease a newborn’s birthweight by approximately one-third of a pound.

The study also found newborns exposed to marijuana in utero suffered from smaller head circumference — which could indicate inadequate brain development during pregnancy.

All of this underscores what we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

Senate Education Committee Rejects Pro-Life Ultrasound Education Bill

Feb 26, 2025Jerry CoxAbortionAbortion, Arkansas Legislature, Life, Pro-life, Sanctity of Human Life

Above: The Senate Education Committee hears an explanation of H.B. 1180, the Baby Olivia Act by Rep. Bentley and Sen. Penzo. The committee has failed to pass this good bill twice this year. (File Photo: 2/10/25)

On Wednesday, the Senate Education Committee rejected a good bill that would help provide public school students in Arkansas with appropriate education about unborn children.

H.B. 1180, The Baby Olivia Act, by Rep. Mary Bentley (R — Perryville) and Sen. Clint Penzo (R — Springdale) ensures public schools show students a recording of a high-definition ultrasound video that is at least three minutes long as part of sex-education and human growth and development education courses.

It also lets students see a video like Live Action’s computer-animated “Meet Baby Olivia” video that teaches about human development from conception to birth.

The bill passed with overwhelming support in the Arkansas House, but the Senate Education Committee failed to pass H.B. 1180 on Wednesday morning.

The bill is backed by the Arkansas Surgeon General, pro-life OB/GYNs, and various pro-life groups and leaders in the state.

Pro-abortion groups like the Arkansas Abortion Support Network, For AR People, and the liberal medical organization ACOG oppose H.B. 1180.

This is the second time the Senate Education Committee has refused to pass this good bill.

H.B. 1180 narrowly avoided a “Do Not Pass” motion from the committee on February 10. After that, Rep. Bentley and Sen. Penzo amended the measure to help address questions and concerns some of the Senate Education Committee members expressed about it.

Passing a bill in committee requires five votes, but only four senators voted for H.B. 1180. Three senators voted against the bill, and one senator chose not to vote.

The Following Senators Voted FOR H.B. 1180: