§ 20-16-1301. Title

This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act”.

§ 20-16-1302. Definitions

As used in this subchapter: (1) “Contraceptive” means a device, drug, or chemical that prevents fertilization; (2) “Fetus” means the human offspring developing during pregnancy from the moment of fertilization and includes the embryonic stage of development; (3) “Heartbeat” means cardiac activity, the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart within the gestational […]

§ 20-16-1303. Testing for heartbeat

(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. (b) (1) A person authorized to perform abortions under Arkansas law shall perform an […]

§ 20-16-1304. Prohibitions

(a) A person authorized to perform abortions under Arkansas law shall not perform an abortion on a pregnant woman with the specific intent of causing or abetting the termination of the life of an unborn human individual whose heartbeat has been detected under § 20-16-1303 and is twelve (12) weeks or greater gestation. (b) A […]

§ 20-16-1305. Exemptions — Medical personnel

(a) A person does not violate this subchapter if the person: (1) Performs a medical procedure designed to or intended to prevent the death of a pregnant woman or in reasonable medical judgment to preserve the life of the pregnant woman; (2) (A) Has undertaken an examination for the presence of a heartbeat in the […]

§ 20-16-1306. Exemptions

This subchapter does not: (1) Subject a pregnant female on whom an abortion is performed or attempted to be performed to any criminal prosecution or civil penalty; or (2) Prohibit the sale, use, prescription, or administration of a measure, drug, or chemical designed for contraceptive purposes.

§ 20-16-1307. Tolling of effective date

If a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction voids a provision of this subchapter as unconstitutional, the effective date of that provision shall be tolled until that provision has been upheld as valid by an appellate tribunal.