LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) The Arkansas House has passed legislation to require abortion providers to notify, in writing, women undergoing drug-induced abortions that the procedure can be halted halfway.
Medical groups say that claim isn’t backed up by science.
Lawmakers voted 70-14 Monday for the Senate-passed measure, which now goes to Gov. Asa Hutchinson to be signed into law. Arkansas is one of four states that require doctors to personally counsel women that it may be possible to reverse a medication abortion. Idaho, South Dakota and Utah have similar laws.
Online records indicate Representatives John Payton of Wilburn, Michelle Gray of Melbourne and Marsh Davis of Cherokee Village voted in support of the bill. Representative Nelda Speaks of Mountain Home did not vote on the measure, and Jack Fortner of Yellville voted present.
“Abortion reversal” claims have been criticized by medical groups who say it’s not supported by evidence.
Hutchinson last month signed a measure to ban abortion in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing the procedure nationwide.
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