Arkansas Abortion Bill 2021: Gov. Signs Legislation Banning Nearly All Abortions In State

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday signed into law a bill that bans nearly all abortions in the state, a move that could challenge the Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade 1973 ruling.

The new legislation, referred to as SB6, bans medical providers from performing abortion procedures unless they are done to save the life of a pregnant woman in an emergency. The law does not make exceptions for victims of rape, incest or fetal anomalies.

People found violating the Arkansas abortion law could face a fine of up to $100,000. They could also serve prison sentences of up to 10 years.

"I will sign SB6 because of overwhelming legislative support and my sincere and long-held pro-life convictions," Hutchinson said in a 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."

The Republican governor has signed several abortion restrictions since he took office in 2015. However, he expressed reservations about the new bill before signing it into law on Tuesday.

“[The ban] 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,” Hutchinson said in a statement.

“I would have preferred the legislation to include the exceptions for rape and incest, which has been my consistent view, and such exceptions would increase the chances for a review by the U.S. Supreme Court,” he added.

The governor said he was signing the bill into law because of its “overwhelming legislative support and my sincere and long-held pro-life convictions.”

This will make Arkansas one of 14 states across the U.S. in which lawmakers have considered imposing outright abortion bans in 2021.

The bans in those states have been supported by Republicans and abortion opponents eager to challenge the 1973 Supreme Court ruling referred to as Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the U.S.

Abortion supporters, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), said they plan to challenge the legislation in court before it goes into effect in Arkansas.

“Governor Hutchinson: we’ll see you in court,” ACLU of Arkansas Executive Director Holly Dickson said.

The abortion bill in Arkanasas would go into effect 91 days after May 3, which is the end of the state’s legislative session.