LITTLE ROCK — As this year’s legislative session enters its fifth week, Arkansas state lawmakers are debating abortion and gun issues.
The House is set to vote this week on a bill that would ban most abortions at 12 weeks into a pregnancy. A 20-week abortion ban is pending before a Senate committee but faces opposition because it doesn’t have exemptions for rape and incest.
Gov. Mike Beebe is expected to sign a separate measure this week prohibiting private insurers in the state’s insurance exchanges from covering most abortions.
House lawmakers are set to vote Monday on creating a task force to explore school safety in light of recent shootings. A House committee is set to discuss a separate proposal allowing university employees to take concealed weapons on campus.
