FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 27, 2019

On Wednesday the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and Little Rock Family Planning Services filed legal challenges against three pro-life laws recently passed by the Arkansas Legislature. The laws are Act 493, prohibiting abortion after the eighteenth week of pregnancy, except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother; Act 619, prohibiting abortion of an unborn baby solely because the child has Down Syndrome; and Act 700, requiring abortion doctors to be board certified or board eligible OB/GYNs.

Family Council President Jerry Cox released a statement, saying, “These lawsuits are almost unbelievable. The ACLU is challenging laws designed to do things like ensure abortion doctors are properly certified in obstetrics and gynecology and protect babies from being aborted simply because they have Down Syndrome. Planned Parenthood is challenging laws that hold abortion doctors to reasonable standards and prohibit abortion after the eighteenth week of pregnancy. The fact that abortionists would challenge a state law holding them to reasonable training and certification standards speaks volumes.”

Cox said Arkansans support reasonable restrictions on abortion. “Last November’s annual Arkansas Poll shows the vast majority of Arkansans believe abortion ought to be either completely illegal or legal only under certain circumstances. Historically, even people who support abortion have said abortion doctors need proper training. The fact that the ACLU and Planned Parenthood would challenge these laws shows they are severely
out of touch with the rest of Arkansas.”

Cox said he expects a pro-life victory from these lawsuits. “I believe these laws can withstand a legal challenge. However, even when courts strike down a pro-life law, there’s always a silver lining in the ruling. I believe these lawsuits will simply pave the way for even better pro-life laws in the future—no matter how the courts rule.”

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