Ark. Code Ann. § 20-16-705: Abortion of viable fetus prohibited - Exceptions

(a) No abortion of a viable fetus shall be performed unless necessary to preserve the life or health of the woman. (b) Before a physician may perform an abortion upon a pregnant woman after such time as her fetus has become viable, the physician shall first certify in writing that the abortion is necessary to preserve the life or health of the woman and shall further certify in writing the medical indications for the abortion and the probable health consequences. (c) (1) This subchapter shall not prohibit the abortion of a viable fetus if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest perpetrated on a minor when documentation is presented that states that the crime has been reported to law enforcement. (2) The physician or abortion facility shall: (A) File the documentation that a crime has been reported to law enforcement in the pregnant woman's medical record; and (B) Report to the Department of Health the number of abortions performed because of rape or incest. Amended by Act 2021, No. 787,§ 3, eff. 7/28/2021. Acts 1985, No. 268, § 2; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-2563.

(a) No abortion of a viable fetus shall be performed unless necessary to preserve the life or health of the woman.

(b) Before a physician may perform an abortion upon a pregnant woman after such time as her fetus has become viable, the physician shall first certify in writing that the abortion is necessary to preserve the life or health of the woman and shall further certify in writing the medical indications for the abortion and the probable health consequences.

(c) (1) This subchapter shall not prohibit the abortion of a viable fetus if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest perpetrated on a minor when documentation is presented that states that the crime has been reported to law enforcement. (2) The physician or abortion facility shall: (A) File the documentation that a crime has been reported to law enforcement in the pregnant woman's medical record; and (B) Report to the Department of Health the number of abortions performed because of rape or incest.

(1) This subchapter shall not prohibit the abortion of a viable fetus if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest perpetrated on a minor when documentation is presented that states that the crime has been reported to law enforcement.

(2) The physician or abortion facility shall: (A) File the documentation that a crime has been reported to law enforcement in the pregnant woman's medical record; and (B) Report to the Department of Health the number of abortions performed because of rape or incest.

(A) File the documentation that a crime has been reported to law enforcement in the pregnant woman's medical record; and

(B) Report to the Department of Health the number of abortions performed because of rape or incest.