Senate Bill 6

Arkansas Governor Signs Near-Total Abortion Ban Into Law

By MICHAEL HIBBLEN

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a bill into law Tuesday that would ban nearly all abortions in the state. Senate Bill 6 makes no exceptions for rape or incest, and only lists a few medical exceptions.

While abortion rights advocates are promising a legal fight, legislative backers have said they hope the case will eventually be considered by the U.S. Supreme Court and that the addition of more conservative justices in recent years will lead to an overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

"I will sign SB6 because of overwhelming legislative support and my sincere and long-held pro-life convictions. SB6 is in contradiction of binding precedents of the U.S. Supreme Court, but it is the intent of the legislation to set the stage for the Supreme Court overturning current case law," Hutchinson said in a statement. "I would have preferred the legislation to include the exceptions for rape and incest, which has been my consistent view, and such exceptions would increase the chances for a review by the U.S. Supreme Court."

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-governor-signs-near-total-abortion-ban-law

Speaking to reporters in his office last Wednesday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson expressed reservations about the near-total abortion ban because it didn't make exceptions for rape or incest. On Tuesday, he signed the legislation into law.CREDIT MICHAEL HIBB…

Speaking to reporters in his office last Wednesday, Gov. Asa Hutchinson expressed reservations about the near-total abortion ban because it didn't make exceptions for rape or incest. On Tuesday, he signed the legislation into law.

CREDIT MICHAEL HIBBLEN / KUAR NEWS

Senate Committee Advances Bill That Would Ban All Abortions In Arkansas

By SARAH KELLOGG

A bill that would ban all abortions in the state with few exceptions will now go to the Arkansas Senate floor after a committee voted to advance it Wednesday.

Under Senate Bill 6, a person is not allowed to perform an abortion under any circumstance unless it is to "save the life or preserve the health of the child, remove a dead unborn child caused by spontaneous abortion or remove an ectopic pregnancy."

There are no exceptions listed in the legislation for instances of rape or incest.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/senate-committee-advances-bill-would-ban-all-abortions-arkansas

ARKANSAS SENATE

ARKANSAS SENATE

Arkansas Lawmakers To Vote On Near-Total Abortion Ban

A new bill would make nearly all forms of abortion a crime in Arkansas, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Senate Bill 6, sponsored by Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Conway, and Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, allows abortion to be performed legally only when the mother’s life is threatened or to remove an ectopic pregnancy.

https://www.ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-lawmakers-vote-near-total-abortion-ban

Arkansas Lawmakers To Vote On Near-Total Abortion Ban

A new bill would make nearly all forms of abortion a crime in Arkansas, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Senate Bill 6, sponsored by Sen. Jason Rapert, R-Conway, and Rep. Mary Bentley, R-Perryville, allows abortion to be performed legally only when the mother's life is threatened or to remove an ectopic pregnancy.