A bill doubling the waiting period before a woman may undergo an abortion after consulting a doctor zipped through the Arkansas Senate on Monday.
In a 26-4 vote, the Senate sent to Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson House Bill 1578 by Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Springdale, that would revise the state's informed consent law adopted in 2001.
State Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Sulphur Springs, told senators that deciding whether to have an abortion is a very important decision and the bill is aimed at making women fully aware of the implications of their decision. Hendren is the Senate sponsor of the bill.
But state Sen. Joyce Elliott, D-Little Rock, told her colleagues that women are fully capable of making their own decisions and the Arkansas "Legislature should at some point cease to play doctor."
The legislation would increase the waiting period between a doctor's consultation and the abortion from 24 hours to 48 hours and increase the amount of information about risks that abortion providers are required to give patients seeking the procedure.
The bill would require providers to give patients the name of the doctor performing the abortion, a description of the procedure including a list of possible risks, the age of the fetus and a description of its anatomical and physiological characteristics at that age. The information must be provided at least 48 hours before the abortion can be performed.
It also requires doctors to describe "fetal pain" to a woman who has reached 20 weeks of pregnancy or more, at least 48 hours before an abortion.
A person who intentionally, knowingly or recklessly violates the bill's provisions would commit a Class A misdemeanor under the measure. In addition, failure to comply with the requirements of the bill would provide a basis for a civil malpractice action for actual and punitive damages. It could also lead to professional disciplinary action under the Arkansas Medical Practices Act.
Metro on 03/31/2015