Senate to take up fetal-pain bill

The Arkansas Legislature is meeting today, the 36th day of the 2013 session.

The Senate may consider legislation which seeks to outlaw abortions which, some doctors say, would be painful for fetuses.

House Bill 1037, sponsored by Rep. Andy Mayberry, R-Hensley:

  • Bans abortion 20 weeks after fertilization.
  • Exempts pregnancy resulting from rape or incest.
  • Exempts abortions needed to save the life of the mother or when the pregnancy will cause irreversible and catastrophic harm to a major bodily function of the mother.
  • Specifies that doctors performing an abortion under an exemption must terminate the pregnancy in a way that provides the best opportunity for the fetus to survive.
  • States that doctors violating the law are guilty of a Class D felony, punishable by up to six years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.
  • Allows a woman who undergoes an illegal abortion or the man who impregnated her to sue the doctor and recover actual and punitive damages.

In the House, lawmakers could consider a bill to cap the growth in state spending at 3 percent per year.

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