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(a) A person authorized to perform abortions under Arkansas law shall not perform an abortion on a pregnant woman before the person tests the pregnant woman to determine whether the fetus that the pregnant woman is carrying possesses a detectible heartbeat.
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(b)
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(1) A person authorized to perform abortions under Arkansas law shall perform an abdominal ultrasound test necessary to detect a heartbeat of an unborn human individual according to standard medical practice, including the use of medical devices as determined by standard medical practice.
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(2) Tests performed under subdivision (b)(1) of this section shall be approved by the Arkansas State Medical Board.
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(c) The Arkansas State Medical Board shall adopt rules:
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(1)
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(A) Based on standard medical practice for testing for the fetal heartbeat of an unborn human individual.
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(B) Rules adopted under this subsection shall specify that a test for fetal heartbeat is not required in the case of a medical emergency; and
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(2) To define, based on available medical evidence, the statistical probability of bringing an unborn human individual to term based on the gestational age of the unborn human individual possessing a detectible heartbeat.
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(d) If a fetal heartbeat is detected during the test required under this section, the person performing the test shall inform the pregnant woman in writing:
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(1) That the unborn human individual that the pregnant woman is carrying possesses a heartbeat;
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(2) Of the statistical probability of bringing the unborn human individual to term based on the gestational age of the unborn human individual possessing a detectible heartbeat; and
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(3) An abortion is prohibited under § 20-16-1304.
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(e) If a heartbeat has been detected, the pregnant woman shall sign a form acknowledging that she has received the information required under subsection (d) of this section.
