House Committee Advances Pro-Life Ultrasound Bill

Rep. Cloud and Arkansas Right to Life Director Rose Mimms testify in support of S.B. 85.

On Thursday afternoon the House Public Health Committee approved S.B. 85.

This good bill by Sen. Cecile Bledsoe (R – Rogers) and Rep. Joe Cloud (R – Russellville) requires an abortionist to show an ultrasound image of the unborn baby to the pregnant woman before an abortion.

Currently, Arkansas law says an abortionist must offer to let the woman see the ultrasound image.

Research indicates that some women are less likely to have an abortion once they see an ultrasound image of their unborn child.

That means pro-life bills like S.B. 85 can help further decrease the number of abortions in Arkansas.

Arkansas Right to Life is the chief proponent of this bill, and we fully support their efforts.

S.B. 85 is a good, pro-life bill. It now goes to the full Arkansas House of Representatives for consideration.

Arkansas Senate Passes Several Good Measures

On Thursday afternoon the Arkansas Senate passed several good measures.

The senators voted to give final approval to S.B. 289 protecting healthcare workers’ rights of conscience. The senate previously approved this bill, but had to vote to concur in amendments that the Arkansas House of Representatives made last week. The bill now goes to Governor Hutchinson.

The Arkansas Senate also passed S.B. 474. This good bill by Sen. Charles Beckham (R – McNeil) and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway (R – Paragould) prohibits fraud and abuse in fertility treatments. The bill ensures people performing fertility treatments are honest, ethical, and abide by principles of informed-consent. The bill passed with overwhelming support with 33 votes.

The senate also passed S.B. 463. This good bill by Sen. Blake Johnson (R – Corning) and Rep. Tony Furman (R – Benton) requires the State of Arkansas to provide abortion data to the federal Centers for Disease Control for statistical purposes. It also tightens Arkansas law concerning abortion facility inspections, and it requires abortionists to file certain documentation when the woman is a victim of rape or incest. Read The Bill Here.

Below is a breakdown of the vote on S.B. 463.

Voted FOR S.B. 463

  • B. Ballinger
  • Beckham
  • Bledsoe
  • A. Clark
  • B. Davis
  • L. Eads
  • J. English
  • Flippo
  • T. Garner
  • Gilmore
  • K. Hammer
  • J. Hendren
  • Hester
  • Hickey
  • Hill
  • M. Johnson
  • B. Johnson
  • M. Pitsch
  • Rapert
  • Rice
  • B. Sample
  • G. Stubblefield
  • J. Sturch
  • D. Sullivan
  • Teague
  • D. Wallace

Voted Against S.B. 463

  • L. Chesterfield
  • Elliott
  • S. Flowers
  • K. Ingram
  • G. Leding
  • C. Tucker

Excused From Voting

  • J. Dismang
  • Irvin

Did Not Vote

Caldwell

House Committee Passes Bill Protecting Fairness in Women’s Sports

Rep. Barker and Family Council’s Ken Yang testify in favor of S.B. 354 in the House Education Committee.

On Thursday the House Education Committee passed S.B. 354.

This good bill by Sen. Missy Irvin (R – Mountain View) and Rep. Sonia Barker (R – Smackover) preserves fairness in girls’ athletics at school.

S.B. 354 would protect girls from being forced to compete against biological males in girls’ athletics.

Letting biological males who identify as female compete against girls can rob female student athletes of opportunities for scholarships.

Time and again we have heard stories of biological males dominating women’s sports — especially athletics like track and field.

In some athletic events, it can even be dangerous.

S.B. 354 helps protect fairness in women’s sports in Arkansas.

The bill now goes to the entire Arkansas House of Representatives for consideration.