Arkansas Legislature – Page 80

House Committee Passes Bill Addressing Fertility Fraud

Apr 1, 2021Jerry CoxBioethicsArkansas Legislature, Bioethics

On Thursday the Arkansas House Judiciary Committee 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 previously passed the Arkansas Senate with strong support.

S.B. 474 ensures people performing fertility treatments are honest, ethical, and abide by principles of informed-consent.

It’s a good bill that helps support and protect bioethics in Arkansas.

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

Read The Bill Here.

Senate Committee Passes Bill Requiring Abortion Facilities to Maintain Transfer Agreements With Hospitals

Apr 1, 2021Jerry CoxAbortionAbortion, Arkansas Legislature, Life, Pro-life

*Sen. Gilmore presents S.B. 527 in committee on Wednesday, March 31.*

On Wednesday the Senate Public Health Committee passed S.B. 527.

This good bill by Sen. Ben Gilmore (R – Crossett) and Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) requires abortion facilities to have transfer agreements with hospitals, and it fixes a flawed definition in a pro-life law passed in 2019.

S.B. 527 is similar to a Kentucky law that survived a legal challenge.

This is a good bill that will help protect women from botched abortions.

Abortion carries a number of serious risks — including risk of laceration, hemorrhaging, and death.

Legislation like S.B. 527 helps protect women from dangerous abortion practices.

The bill now goes to the entire Arkansas Senate for consideration.

Read The Bill Here.

Arkansas House Rejects Bill Legalizing No-Fault Divorce

Apr 1, 2021Jerry CoxMarriageArkansas Legislature, Divorce, Marriage

On Wednesday the Arkansas House of Representatives soundly rejected H.B. 1697 by Rep. Ashley Hudson (D – Little Rock), Rep. Andrew Collins (D – Little Rock), and Sen. Greg Leding (D – Fayetteville).

This bad bill would permit no-fault divorce in Arkansas.

Under current law, couples in Arkansas can divorce in cases such as infidelity, abuse, following a lengthy separation, and other circumstances.

H.B. 1697 would permit divorce due to irreconcilable differences, discord, or conflict of personalities regardless of whether or not the husband or wife is at fault.

The bill only received 31 votes in favor of it.

Fifty-eight representatives voted against the bill. Two voted “Present.”

Reps. Pilkington (R – Russellville), Dotson (R – Bentonville), and Breaux (R – Holiday Island) all spoke against this bad bill. Reps. Dalby (R – Texarkana) and Cozart (R – Hot Springs) spoke in favor of the bill.

Below is a breakdown of the vote on H.B. 1697.