Activities

Arkansas Right To Life…Taking A Stand, Making A Difference

Arkansas Right to Life is a non-profit, grassroots, public service organization dedicated to protecting and fostering the most basic right of society – LIFE itself.  Today, as anti-life forces are attacking this right with increasing intensity, we promote, uphold and support reverence and respect for human life without regard to condition, quality, age, race, religion, culture or color, whether born or unborn.

We recognize that society today places great emphasis on the quality of life, but we must not let our concern for quality override our concern for life itself.

Arkansas Right to Life is affiliated with the National Right to Life committee.   NRLC is the nation’s largest grassroots, pro-life organization with 50 state affiliates and over 3,000 chapters nationwide.

Touching Hearts – Changing Minds – Saving Lives

Educational Awareness

We seek to educate the community to the dangers of abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and other actions that destroy innocent human life.  Through educational programs at schools, churches, community events and civic organizations, we are reaching thousands of Arkansans with our life-affirming message.

Each year since 1977, Arkansas Right to Life has sponsored a pro-life educational exhibit at the Arkansas State Fair.  Several thousand people visit the booth each year, making this one of our largest educational events. The booth is open for over 100 hours during the ten-day fair and involves approximately 100 volunteers.

Since 1978, Arkansas Right to Life has sponsored the Annual March for Life in Little Rock, to commemorate the January 22, 1973, Roe v. Wade Supreme Court Decision that legalized abortion.  This is the largest pro-life gathering in Arkansas and attracts thousands people from all over the state.

Legislation and Lobbying

Arkansas Right to Life lobbies at the Arkansas legislature to promote bills which will create a favorable climate for life.  ARTL also lobbies at the nation’s capital for laws which will guarantee legal protection for all human beings.

Political Action

The Arkansas Right to Life Political Action Committee (State & Federal) seeks to elect candidates to public office that respect the sanctity of human life.  Arkansas Right to Life Political Action Committee is a non-partisan PAC and its funds are separate from Arkansas Right to Life.

In 1988 – Arkansas Right to Life worked with a coalition of groups for a petition drive to adopt Amendment 68, “The Unborn Child Amendment,” to the Arkansas State Constitution.   The amendment states that “the policy of Arkansas is to protect the life of every unborn child from conception until birth, to the extent permitted by the federal constitution.”

In 1989 – Arkansas Right to Life worked for passage of The Parental Notification Law requiring that no abortion be performed on an unemancipated minor until 48 hours after written notice has been given to at least one parent.

In 1997 – Arkansas Right to Life led the battle for the successful passage of Act 984 the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, which prohibited the partial-birth abortion procedure in Arkansas except to save the life of the mother.  The day before the ban was to take effect a lawsuit was filed and subsequently the ban was declared unconstitutional.

In 1998 – Arkansas Right to Life was the leading force of opposition calling for the North Little Rock City Council to rescind their approval of a $20,000 Federal Block Grant to Planned Parenthood of Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma for the establishment of a Reproductive Health Clinic in their city.  The council rescinded the grant and the clinic did not open.

In 1999 – Arkansas Right to Life worked with Governor Huckabee to win passage of Act 1273 the Fetal Protection Act that will ensure that unborn children 12 weeks and older will be considered legal “persons” when killed or injured during a criminal or negligent act.  This is a significant victory for the pro-life movement and restores protection to the unborn that was taken away from them in 1975 when the state legislature repealed a 1964 statute against the murder of an unborn child.  Arkansas Right to Life also supported Act 394 The Physician Assisted Suicide Ban.

In 2001 – Arkansas Right to Life was successful in passing Act 353 the Woman’s Right to Know Law to ensure that women be given information about the risks of abortion and were offered information about fetal development and alternatives to abortion before an abortion can be performed.   The pro-life movement in Arkansas had worked for 10 years to get this critical legislation passed so that women would be better informed before making the life and death decision of abortion.  Arkansas Right to Life also supported Act 236 The Safe Haven that allows a mother to surrender an unwanted infant without fear of criminal charges.

In 2003 – Arkansas Right to Life sponsored passage of Act 344 to establish a Choose Life specialty vehicle license plate to generate funds to promote and assist women to choose adoption.  This legislation was included in Governor Mike Huckabee’s legislative package.  In addition we worked to pass Act 1189 to give women seeking an abortion the option to view the ultrasound image of their child if one is performed. Arkansas Right to Life also supported Act 607 the Human Cloning Ban and Act 1322 The Right to Receive Nutrition & Hydration.

In 2005 – Arkansas Right to Life sponsored Act 1696 the Unborn Child Pain & Prevention Act that provides pregnant women, who are 20 weeks or more and seeking an abortion, pain information and the option of pain relief medication for the unborn child.  We also supported Act 537 the Parental Consent for Minor Abortion.

In 2007 – Arkansas Right to Life successfully worked to defeat the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in Arkansas and supported Act1605 to prevent coerced abortion.

In 2008 – Arkansas Right to Life helped to alert and educate citizens of Hot Springs of the activities of Planned Parenthood CHOICE Hot Springs to establish abortion services.

In 2009 – Arkansas Right to Life successfully sponsored Act 196 the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban.

In 2011 – Arkansas Right to Life sponsored the only pro-life law passed in the AR General Assembly:  The Requirement of all facilities that perform ten or more abortions each month to be inspected and licensed by the Department of Health.  This law closed a loophole and forced Planned Parenthood to be inspected and licensed as an abortion provider.

In 2013 – Arkansas Right to Life made passage of the Opt Out of Abortion Coverage in the Affordable Care Act (OBAMACARE), and passage of the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act to prevent abortion on unborn children 20 weeks or more legislative priorities.  We also welcomed the passage of the Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act to prevent abortion at 12 weeks or more (currently enjoined), passage of an act to modify the definition of an unborn child, passage of the Pregnant Woman’s Protection Act, and passage of the Child Maltreatment Act that protects life in Arkansas.

In 2015 – Arkansas Right to Life led a successful educational and legislative effort to ban Webcam Abortion in Arkansas.  This effort defeated the plans of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland from providing chemical abortion across Arkansas by a webcam Internet connection.  We also supported the Right to Try Act, an act to defund Pro-abortion entities, the Abortion Inducing Drugs Safety Act, the Disposition of Human & Fetal Tissue Act, the Parental Involvement Act and the Woman’s Right to Know Act.

In 2017 – Arkansas Right to Life top priority was the passage of Act 45 the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion signed into law by Governor Asa Hutchinson on January 26, 2017.  This will effectively end the barbaric yet common 2nd trimester abortion method that dismembers a living unborn child to death.

In 2019 – Arkansas Right to Life worked to amend the Safe Haven Act (Act 185 of 2019) to add manned Fire Stations as surrender locations and authorize the installation of Safe Haven Baby Boxes at surrender locations and to amend the Woman’s Right to Know Act (Act 522 of 2019) to require Abortion Pill Reversal information be given to women undergoing chemical/medication abortion in Arkansas. We also worked against legislation to legalized assisted suicide and the ERA. We supported legislation that banned abortions at 18 weeks and for down syndrome diagnosis, increased the reflection period for abortion decisions from 48 to 72 hours, to require abortion providers to be OB-GYN certified and to ban abortion in AR when Roe v. Wade is overturned.

WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. WE ARE ARKANSAS RIGHT TO LIFE

Historical Record of Arkansas Abortion Law

ABORTION
LAW
IN
ARKANSAS

2021

Act
Number:
HCR 1007 of 2021

Sponsor: Rep. Wooten; Sen. Rapert

Summary: Resolution to recognize the anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade abortion decision as “The Day of Tears” in Arkansas; encourages flags at half-staff.

Act
Number:
Act 309 of 2021

Sponsor: Sen. Rapert; Rep. Bentley

Summary: Creates the Unborn Child Protection Act; abolishes abortion in the state except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency.

Act
Number:
Act 358 of 2021

Sponsor: Rep. Lundstrum; Sen. Stubblefield

Summary: An act to restrict abortion providers from participating as a Medicaid provider.

Act
Number:
Act 462 of 2021

Sponsor:
Sen. Hammer; Rep. B. Smith

Summary: Provides conscience protection of healthcare workers opposed to abortion and abortifacients.

Act
Number:
Act 498 of 2021

Sponsor: Sen. Bledsoe; Rep. Cloud

Summary: Creates the Right to Know and See Act; amends the right to view ultrasound images before an abortion. 

Act
Number:
Act 560 of 2021

Sponsor: Rep. Lundstrum; Sen. Flippo

Summary: Creates the Informed Consent for Chemical Abortion Act.

Act
Number:
Act 561 of 2021

Sponsor: Rep. Breaux; Sen. Ballinger

Summary: Prohibits taxpayer resource transactions for abortions.

Act
Number:
Act 562 of 2021

Sponsor: Rep. Barker; Sen. B. Johnson

Summary: Amends the Abortion-Inducing Drugs Safety Act.

Act
Number:
Act 740 of 2021

Sponsor:
Sen. Gilmore; Rep. Bentley 

Summary: Requires abortion facilities to have transfer agreements with hospitals; requires abortionists to provide women with information regarding human trafficking.

Act
Number:
Act 787 of 2021

Sponsor: Sen. B. Johnson; Rep. Furman

Summary: Amends the laws regarding abortion reporting and inspections; requires certain documentation when the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.

Act
Number:
Act 820 of 2021

Sponsor: Rep. Lowery 

Summary: Creates the Arkansas Student Protection Act; prevents transactions with abortion providers.

Act
Number:
Act 949 of 2021

Sponsor: Sen. Beckham; Rep. Cloud

Summary: Modifies law concerning abortion clinics; prohibits abortions in hospitals except in cases of medical emergency.

2019

Act
Number:
Act 180 of 2019

Sponsor:
Sen. Rapert; Rep. Bentley

Summary: Creates the Arkansas Human Life Protection Act; to abolish abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency; protect the lives of unborn children. 

Act
Number:
Act 185 of 2019

Sponsor:
Sen. Bledsoe; Rep. Petty

Summary:
Amends the Arkansas Safe Haven Act; adds manned fire department stations; permits safety devices for anonymous surrender.

Act
Number:
Act 493 of 2019

Sponsor:
Rep. Lundstrum; Sen. Rapert

Summary: Creates the Cherish Act; prohibits abortions after 18 weeks except in a medical emergency or in cases of rape or incest.

Act
Number:
Act 522 o 2019

Sponsor: Sen. Irvin; Rep. Cloud

Summary:
Amends the Woman’s Right to Know Act; provides information on reversing the effects of abortion-inducing drugs.

Act
Number:
Act 619 of 2019

Sponsor: Sen. Garner; Rep. Barker

Summary:
Creates the Down Syndrome Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act except if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. 

Act
Number:
Act 620 of 2019

Sponsor: Sen. Garner; Rep. Barker 

Summary:
Requires additional reporting requirements to report abortion complications.

Act
Number:
Act 700 of 2019

Sponsor: Sen. Stubblefield; Rep. Barker

Summary: Requires physicians to have certain qualifications to perform abortions; repeals the presumption of viability at 25 weeks.

Act
Number:
Act 801 of 2019 

Sponsor:
Sen. Stubblefield; Rep. Hawks

Summary: Amends laws concerning abortion facilities and abortion reporting; amends the Born Alive Infant Protection Law; increases waiting period to 72 hours before an abortion.

Act
Number:
Act 1057 of 2019

Sponsor:
Rep. Dotson; Sen. Ballinger

Summary: Prohibits state agencies from consenting or approving the termination of pregnancy for an individual in the custody or guardianship of the state and from expending state funds for the purpose of terminating the pregnancy except to save the life of the pregnant woman.

2017

Act
Number:
Act 45 of 2017

Sponsor: Rep. A. Mayberry; Sen. Sanders

Summary: Creates the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act unless it is necessary to prevent a serious health risk to the pregnant woman.

Act
Number:
Act 383 of 2017

Sponsor: Rep. Lundstrum; Sen. Flippo

Summary: Amends laws concerning unlawful abortions; amends laws concerning the procedure of denial, suspension, or revocation of a health facilities service license; amend the laws regarding abortion clinics.

Act
Number:
Act 392 of 2017

Sponsor: Sen. Stubblefield; Rep. C. Fite

Summary:
Creates the Born Alive Infant Protection Act.

Act
Number:
Act 733 of 2017

Sponsor: Rep. Collins; Sen. Irvin

Summary: Creates the Sex Discrimination by Abortion Prohibition Act.

Act
Number:
Act 1018 of 2017

Sponsor: Rep. Barker

Summary:
Amends the law regarding the maintenance of forensic samples from abortions performed on a child.

2015

Act
Number:
Act 139 of 2015

Sponsor:
Sen. Irvin; Rep. J. Mayberry

Summary: An act to regulate the use of certain drugs used to induce abortion.

Act
Number:
Act 577 of 2015

Sponsor: Rep. C. Fite; Sen. Files 

Summary:
An act to establish the Abortion-Inducing Drug Safety Act. Repealed by Act 560 of 2021 and Act 562 of 2021.

Act
Number:
Act 934 of 2015

Sponsor: Rep. Harris; Sen. Collins-Smith

Summary: An act to establish the Parental Involvement Enhancement Act; to repeal the Parental Notification Provisions.

Act
Number:
Act 996 of 2015

Sponsor: Sen. Stubblefield; Rep. Lundstrum

Summary: An act to bar the disbursement of funds by the state to certain entities.

Act
Number:
Act 1014 of 2015

Sponsor: Rep. J. Mayberry; Sen. Irvin 

Summary: An act to regulate the use of certain drugs used to induce an abortion.

Act
Number:
Act 1086 of 2015

Sponsor: Rep. Lundstrum; Sen. J. Hendren

Summary:
Repeals and replaces the Woman’s Right to Know Act of 2001; provides voluntary informed consent; requires signage and other information 48 hours before an abortion can be obtained.

2013

Act
Number:
Act 72 of 2013

Sponsor:
Rep. Wilkins; Sen. Bledsoe

Summary: An act to prohibit health insurance exchange policies from offering coverage for abortion except in cases of rape or incest.

Act
Number:
Act 171 of 2013

Sponsor: Rep. A. Mayberry; Sen. Hester

Summary: Creates the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act; to prohibit the abortion of an unborn child of 20 weeks or more except in cases of rape, incest, or a medical emergency.

Act
Number:
Act 301 of 2013

Sponsor: Sen. Rapert; Rep. Clemmer

Summary:
Creates the Arkansas Human Heartbeat Protection Act; prohibits abortion at 12 weeks or more except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.

Act
Number:
Act 725 of 2013

Sponsor:
Rep. C. Fite; Sen. Hester 

Summary: Requires abortion clinic employees to report child abuse or suspected child abuse; requires evidence of abuse to be sent to the State Crime Lab for preservation.

Act
Number:
Act 1032 of 2013

Sponsor:
Sen. J. Hendren; Rep. Steel

Summary:
An act to modify the definition of an unborn child as an offspring of human parents from conception until birth; does not apply to legal abortion of a child in utero or ectopic pregnancy; does not allow for the charging or conviction of a woman with any criminal offense in the death of her own unborn child in utero.

2011

Act
Number:
Act 1176 of 2011

Sponsor:
Rep. Wilkins

Summary: An act to require that all facilities performing 10 or more abortions each month be licensed by the Department of Health.

2009

Act
Number:
Act 196 of 2009.

Sponsor: Rep. D. Creekmore; Sen. Bledsoe

Summary: An act to prohibit partial-birth abortion. Repealed Act 984 of 1997

2007

Act
Number:
Act 1605 of 2007

Sponsor: Rep. Rosenbaum

Summary: An act to include with the definition of informed consent for abortion information that no person can force a woman to have an abortion.

2005

Act
Number:
Act 537 of 2005

Sponsor: Rep. J. Hutchinson; Sen. Critcher

Summary:
An act to require parental consent to perform an abortion on a minor. Repealed by Act 934 of 2015

Act
Number:
Act 1696 of 2005

Sponsor: Sen. Womack: Rep. D. Creekmore

Summary: An act to create the Unborn Child Pain Awareness and Prevention Act of 2005

2003

Act
Number:
Act 1189 of 2003

Sponsor: Sen. Glover; Rep. Bledsoe

Summary: An act to require physicians who use ultrasound equipment in the performance of abortion to inform the woman that she has a right to view the ultrasound image. Repealed by Act 498 of 2021

2001

Act
Number:
Act 353 of 2001

Sponsor: Rep. Magnus; Sen. Wooldridge 

Summary: An act to ensure women of their right to receive adequate information before terminating a pregnancy; established a 24-hour wait before an abortion may be obtained. Repealed by Act 1086 of 2015 

1999

Act
Number:
Act 1273 of 1999.

Sponsor: Sen. J. Hendren 

Summary: Created the Fetal Protection Act. This law defined the unborn child as a living fetus of twelve weeks or greater gestation; does not apply to legal abortion and nothing in this act shall be construed to allow the charging or convicting of a woman with any criminal offense in the death of her own unborn child in utero. Repealed by Act 1032 of 2013 

1997

Act
Number:
Act 984 of 1997 

Sponsor: Sen. Boozman Rep. J. Hendren.

Summary:
An Act to Ban Partial-Birth abortions. Repealed by Act 195 of 2009

1987-1983

Act
Number:
Act 270 of 1987.

Sponsor: Rep. Willems

Summary: The Parental Notification of a Minor’s intent to obtain an abortion; requires parental notification and consent prior to performing the abortion. Repealed by Act 537 of 2005

Act
Number:
Act 268 § 1, of 1985.

Sponsor: General Assembly

Summary: In this first statute Act 268 defined abortion as “the intentional termination of the pregnancy of a mother with an intention other than to increase the probability of a live birth or to remove a dead or dying fetus.” The act then defined a viable fetus as: “a fetus which can live outside the womb,” and presumption of viability as: “a fetus shall be presumed not to be viable prior to the end of the twenty-fifth week of the pregnancy.” Repealed by Act 700 of 2019

Act
Number:
Act 268 § 6, of 1985.

Sponsor:
General Assembly

Summary: This statute outlined the penalties applied to those who violated the abortion laws outlined in 1985 and before. Violators were to be charged with a Class A misdemeanor and if an abortion was performed without consent, then civil action may be pursued against the person who performed the abortion. This statute does not allow the charging or conviction of a woman with any criminal offense in the death of her own unborn child in utero. Repealed by Act 309 of 2021

Act
Number:
Act 268 § 2, of 1985.

Sponsor:
General Assembly

Summary:
Abortion of a viable fetus is only allowed when it would preserve the life or health of the woman or in cases of rape or incest perpetrated on a minor. Repealed by Act 309 & 787 of 2021

Act
Number:
Act 715 of 1983.

Sponsor: General Assembly 

Summary: This abortion law made it so that only a licensed person may perform an abortion. If the person was found to be unlicensed, then they are to be charged with a Class D Felony. Repealed by Act 1273 of 1999

1969-1947

Act
Number:
Act 61 of 1969. 

Sponsor:
General Assembly

Summary:
This abortion law outlined the penalties and conditions for legal abortions. It is unlawful for anyone to administer or prescribe any medicine or drugs to any woman with a child, with the intent to produce an abortion. Abortion is legal when there is a substantial risk to a woman or child, rape, or incest. The desire to have an abortion must be reported to the prosecuting attorney within seven days after the alleged rape or incestuous act. The woman must give written consent for abortion to be performed. No physician is required to perform or participate in the abortion. Repealed by Act 309 of 2021 

Statute
Number:
A.S.A. 1947, §41-2550

Title:
Abortion definition/penalty

Summary:
Abortion defined in this statute is “the expulsion of a fetus from the uterus before it is capable of carrying on its life.” The person caught administering abortion drugs is fined $1,000 and imprisoned no less than 1 nor more than 5 years. The victim of an abortion was not considered. Repealed by Act 61 of 1969

Statute
Number:
A.S.A. 1947, §41-2552

Title:
Advertising means of producing abortion/penalty

Summary: It was illegal to advertise abortions in any way. The fine was $1,000 and prison time was up to 1 year. Repealed by Act 61 of 1969

Statute
Number:
A.S.A. 1947, §41-2553

Title: Unlawful to induce abortion by use of medicine or drugs or by any other means

Summary: A person cannot prescribe abortion pills before or after the period of quickening. $1,000 fine and prison time up to 5 years. Repealed by Act 61 of 1969 

Statute
Number:
A.S.A. 1947, §41-2554

Title: Conditions that make abortion legal

Summary:
Abortion is legal if it can be proved that the woman or child’s life was threatened, or resulted from rape or incest. The desire to obtain an abortion must first be reported to the prosecuting attorney with the reason why the situation is allowed, and it must be reported within seven (7) days. Repealed by Act 61 of 1969

Early
Arkansas
Abortion
Statutes

Statute
Number:
Arkansas 1884 Statutes: Section 1589

Title:
Criminal Abortion

Summary: This statute made it unlawful to administer drugs with the intent to produce an abortion. The penalty was a fine of $1,000 and prison time of up to five (5) years. Physicians cannot advertise abortion services. This section does not apply if the physician performs the abortion with the purpose of saving the mother’s life. The act was passed in 1875. Became one of the first abortion laws recorded in Arkansas. Repealed by Act 61 of 1969 

Act
Number:
Year 1875. 

Sponsor:
General Assembly

Summary:
This law made it unlawful for anyone to administer or prescribe any drugs to any woman with a child, with the intent to produce an abortion, or a premature delivery of any fetus before the period of quickening. The punishment for violating this law was a fine of $1,000 and imprisonment for up to five (5) years. Repealed by Act 61 of 1969, which was the main abortion law prior to Roe
v.
Wade
.

Act
Number:
Arkansas’s first abortion law was passed in 1837.

Sponsor: General Assembly

Summary: First law passed in Arkansas broadly defined that when a person administers drugs or used instruments with the intent to destroy the life of the child within the woman it was an abortion punishable by a charge of manslaughter if the woman was “quick with child.”

Early
Arkansas
Supreme
Court
Abortion
Cases

McClure
v.
State

(1948)

Summary: The Supreme Court heard an appeal from Dr. G.R. McClure who was convicted of aiding a pregnant woman who had received an abortion in Blytheville, but who later died at the Paragould hospital where McClure worked. The Supreme Court upheld McClure’s conviction.

Thompson
v.
State

(1924)

Summary:
The Supreme Court reaffirmed the decision in The
State
v.
Reed
(1885), that pre-quickening abortions will be held as a felony charge.

The
State
v.
Reed

(1885)

Summary:
Reed unlawfully administered a large quantity of medicine and drugs with the intent to produce an abortion. At the time the law stated that since the abortion took place before the period of quickening, then it wasn’t technically a felony, but instead only a misdemeanor. The Supreme Court noted that it is immaterial whether the fetus had quickened or not, it ruled that any intent to produce an abortion was a felony.