Arkansas legislation · 95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)
Arkansas HB1610: TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HUMAN LIFE PROTECTION ACT AND THE ARKANSAS UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT
Status: Chaptered, March 20, 2025
What the bill says
An act to be entitled an act to amend the arkansas human life protection act and the arkansas unborn child protection act; to modify the definition of "medical emergency"; and for other purposes. subtitle to amend the arkansas human life protection act and the arkansas unborn child protection act.
From the enrolled text:
An Act To Be Entitled AN ACT TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HUMAN LIFE PROTECTION ACT AND THE ARKANSAS UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT; TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "MEDICAL EMERGENCY"; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Subtitle TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HUMAN LIFE PROTECTION ACT AND THE ARKANSAS UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: SECTION 1. DO NOT CODIFY. Legislative findings and intent. (a) The General Assembly finds that: (1) Emergency medical situations can present a danger to the life of pregnant women and unborn children if proper care and treatment is not rendered; (2)(A) In a tragic case where pregnancy poses a serious danger to a pregnant woman's life, the General Assembly has prescribed an objective standard, requiring a doctor to exercise "reasonable medical judgment" before ending the pregnancy. (B) The reasonable medical judgment standard is the longstanding norm and applies in all medical contexts; (3)(A) The reasonable medical judgment standard has never been *JMB180* 03-05-2025 10:49:58 JMB180 As Engrossed: H3/5/25 HB1610 found unworkable or vague in any medical context, including abortion. (B) Under Karlin v. Foust, 188 F.3d 446, 464 (7th Cir. 1999), the reasonable medical judgement standard "is the same standard by which all ... medical decisions are judged under traditional theories of tort law"; and (4) The addition of …
Sponsors
- Robin Lundstrum (R, 18) · primary sponsor
- Hickey Jr, Jimmy (R, 4)
- Brandon Achor (R, 71)
- Mary Bentley (R, 54)
- Alyssa Brown (R, 41)
- Karilyn Brown (R, 67)
- Matt Brown (R, 55)
- Rebecca Burkes (R, 11)
- Cindy Crawford (R, 51)
- Bruce Cozart (R, 91)
- Jimmie Gazaway (R, 31)
- Zack Gramlich (R, 50)
Latest actions
- : Notification that HB1610 is now Act 387
- : Correctly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.
- : TO BE ENROLLED
- : Returned from the Senate as passed.
- : Returned to the House as passed.
- : Read the third time and passed.
- : Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
- : Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to PUBLIC HEALTH, WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE
- : Received from the House.
- : Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
Votes
- Senate Roll Call #676 (March 20, 2025): 31 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Roll Call #650 (March 19, 2025): 93 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate Roll Call #591 (March 17, 2025): 34 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House Roll Call #444 (March 6, 2025): 96 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB1610?
- HB1610 is a bill in the Arkansas Legislature (95th General Assembly (2025 Regular)): TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HUMAN LIFE PROTECTION ACT AND THE ARKANSAS UNBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT.
- What does HB1610 do?
- In its own words: An act to be entitled an act to amend the arkansas human life protection act and the arkansas unborn child protection act; to modify the definition of "medical emergency"; and for other purposes. subtitle to amend the arkansas human life protection act and the arkansas unborn child protection act.
- What is the status of HB1610?
- Chaptered as of March 20, 2025. Latest action: Notification that HB1610 is now Act 387 (March 20, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB1610?
- Robin Lundstrum (R, 18), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB1610?
- On the Arkansas Legislature website: https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R&measureno=HB1610
Source: official Arkansas record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.