Arkansas Senate Rejects Motion to Extract “Baby Olivia Act” from Committee

On Monday afternoon the Arkansas Senate rejected a motion to bring the Baby Olivia Act up for consideration and a vote.

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

The bill also ensures 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 has rejected the Baby Olivia Act twice.

On Monday, Sen. Penzo made a procedural motion in the Arkansas Senate to extract H.B. 1180 from committee and give the entire senate an opportunity to consider and vote on the bill.

It’s unusual for the Arkansas Senate to extract a bill from committee. Following extensive discussion, the motion failed.

As we have said many times, very few medical advancements have done more to change hearts and minds on abortion than ultrasound technology. In fact, research has shown that some women are less likely to have an abortion if they see an ultrasound image of their unborn child. That’s why Family Council is proud to support good bills like H.B. 1180 and S.B. 450.

We appreciate Sen. Penzo’s commitment to the Baby Olivia Act and to giving the Arkansas Senate an opportunity to vote on the bill.

Below is video of the vote on the motion to extract H.B. 1180 from committee.