House Education Committee Backs Bill Bringing Ultrasound Images into Arkansas Classrooms

Above: Rep. Bentley presents H.B. 1180 in the Arkansas House Education Committee on February 4, 2025.

On Tuesday the House Education Committee passed H.B. 1180 to create the “Baby Olivia Act” in Arkansas.

This good bill 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.

The bill also ensures students see Live Action’s computer-animated “Meet Baby Olivia” video that teaches about human development from conception to birth.

In the past 50 years, improvements in medical science have made it clear that unborn children are distinct, living, human individuals. Ultrasound images help clearly demonstrate that.

Research indicates that some women are less likely to have an abortion if they see an ultrasound image of their unborn child. Very few medical advancements have done more to change hearts and minds on abortion than ultrasound technology.

H.B. 1180 will help ensure public school students learn about human development by watching a recording of an ultrasound video and the “Meet Baby Olivia” video in a classroom setting and in an age-appropriate manner.

H.B. 1180 now goes to the entire Arkansas House of Representatives for consideration.

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

Bill Filed to Create Tax Credit for Donations to Charities that Support Women with Unplanned Pregnancies

Legislation filed Tuesday would create a tax credit for donations to charities that support women with unplanned pregnancies.

H.B. 1404 by Rep. Cameron Cooper (R — Romance) and Sen. John Payton (R — Wilburn) establishes an state income tax credit for donations to pregnancy help organizations — such as pregnancy resource centers and similar charities — in Arkansas. Under this bill, individuals and businesses could receive a 50% income tax credit for contributions to qualified pregnancy help organizations.

The bill would not provide a tax credit for donations to abortionists or their affiliates.

The State of Arkansas currently provides grant money to pro-life charities that provide women with real options besides abortion. H.B. 1404 would provide a tax incentive for individuals and businesses to donate to these pro-life charities as well.

You Can Read H.B. 1404 Here.

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

Lawmaker Withdraws Bill Concerning Acts of Negligence by Healthcare Professionals

Last Tuesday Rep. Lee Johnson (R — Greenwood) withdrew a bill that dealt with criminal liability for negligence and misconduct by healthcare professionals.

Right now if someone is harmed because of a healthcare professional’s negligence or misconduct, authorities can investigate the situation, and prosecutors can take appropriate action.

H.B. 1168 was a bill similar to legislation that other states have proposed to protect healthcare professionals from being prosecuted for honest mistakes. But H.B. 1168 was drafted in such a way that its wording could have made it difficult to prosecute healthcare workers who deliberately hurt another person. Fortunately, Rep. Johnson took the time to listen to people with concerns about the way the bill was drafted, and he chose to withdraw it from the legislature.

It’s important to protect good healthcare professionals, but our laws need to hold bad actors accountable as well. That is part of the reason Family Council has consistently opposed legislation that would shield nursing homes and similar facilities when their negligence harms or kills another person.

Family Council deeply appreciates Rep. Johnson taking the time to listen to Arkansans who had concerns about unintended consequences H.B. 1168 might have caused, and we support his decision to withdraw the bill from consideration.

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