Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed the Unborn Child Protection Act into law, which will ban most abortion procedures in the state.
Republican state Sen. Jason Rapert and state Rep. Mary Bentley introduced the measure, and the bill was filed Feb. 9. It makes an exception to save the life of the mother, but not instances of rape, incest, or fetal anomalies.
“I will sign SB6 because of overwhelming legislative support and my sincere and long-held pro-life convictions,” the Republican governor wrote in a Tuesday statement. “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.”
ARKANSAS GOVERNOR TO SIGN STRICT ANTI-ABORTION BILL INTO LAW
Hutchinson would have “preferred” if the bill made exceptions for “rape and incest,” he said, adding it has “been my consistent view, and such exceptions would increase the chances for a review by the U.S. Supreme Court.”
The signing of the bill seeks to renew challenges to the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that legalized abortion procedures throughout the United States.
The law is scheduled to take effect 91 days after the end of the Arkansas legislative session, which is slated for May 3. Those found in violation could face a fine of up to $100,000 and up to 10 years in prison.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas said it plans to challenge the measure in court.
“This extreme abortion ban is cruel and unconstitutional and it will have accomplished nothing but cause stress for patients, while ignoring the pressing challenges Arkansans face,” the organization said in a statement.
Representatives for Planned Parenthood sent a readout to the Washington Examiner following the bill’s signing, saying, “If the law is not stopped by the courts, it will go into effect Aug. 3, 2021.”
Gloria Pedro, regional manager of public policy and organizing for Planned Parenthood in Arkansas, criticized the governor’s decision to sign the bill.
Pedro called on the state to “expand access to comprehensive sex education and contraception, and address the dangerously high rates of maternal mortality and infant mortality in the state.”
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“Instead, anti-abortion politicians are wasting taxpayer time and money writing a law that’s the equivalent to a demand letter to the Supreme Court,” Pedro said, adding Planned Parenthood “will never back down from this fight.”
