Jun 24, 2022 - News

The end of Roe v. Wade in Arkansas

Illustration of female symbol overlaying the steps of the Supreme Court.

Illustration: Lindsey Bailey/Axios

The highly anticipated U.S. Supreme Court opinion out Friday means the end of Roe v. Wade and will effectively make performing an abortion a felony in Arkansas.

State of play: The federal court's decision triggers Act 180 of 2019, which bans abortion in all cases except to save the life of the mother in a medical emergency.

  • There are no exceptions for rape or incest.
  • Under the Arkansas law, doctors could be fined up to $100,000, face 10 years in prison or both. The law does not punish a person for receiving an abortion.

The big picture: More than half of the state's population is made up of women. A woman living in Arkansas with an unwanted pregnancy would potentially have to travel hundreds of miles to reach a health clinic or receive a prescription for pills that will start the process.

What we're watching: A contingency in the law requires the state's attorney general to confirm SCOTUS has overturned Roe v. Wade.

  • In an email to Axios, a spokesperson for Attorney General Leslie Rutledge confirmed that she was prepared to review the SCOTUS opinion, but did not provide a likely time frame.
avatar

Get more local stories in your inbox with Axios NW Arkansas.

🌱

Support local journalism by becoming a member.

Learn more

More NW Arkansas stories

No stories could be found

NW Arkansaspostcard

Get a free daily digest of the most important news in your backyard with Axios NW Arkansas.

🌱

Support local journalism by becoming a member.

Learn more