Ark. Code § 20-16-1305

Current with legislation from 2024 effective through May 3, 2024.
Section 20-16-1305 - Exemptions - Medical personnel
(a) A person does not violate this subchapter if the person:
(1) Performs a medical procedure designed to or intended to prevent the death of a pregnant woman or in reasonable medical judgment to preserve the life of the pregnant woman;
(2)
(A) Has undertaken an examination for the presence of a heartbeat in the fetus utilizing standard medical practice; and
(B) The examination does not reveal a heartbeat; or
(3) Has been informed by a medical professional who has undertaken the examination for fetal heartbeat that the examination did not reveal a fetal heartbeat.
(b) This subchapter does not apply to:
(1) An abortion performed to save the life of the mother;
(2)
(A) A pregnancy that results from rape under § 5-14-103 or incest under § 5-26-202 when documentation is presented that states that the crime has been reported to law enforcement.
(B) The physician or abortion facility shall:
(i) File the documentation that a crime has been reported to law enforcement in the pregnant woman's medical record; and
(ii) Report to the Department of Health the number of abortions performed because of rape or incest; or
(3) A medical emergency.

Ark. Code § 20-16-1305

Amended by Act 2021, No. 787,§ 4, eff. 7/28/2021.
Added by Act 2013, No. 301,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013.