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Representative Hudson presents bill to add narrow exceptions to Arkansas abortion ban; witness recounts personal near‑fatal pregnancy experience
Summary
House Bill 1880 would add limited exceptions to Arkansas' abortion ban for life/health emergencies and fatal fetal anomalies. Representative Hudson and a witness described cases of delayed or denied care after Dobbs; the committee recessed and will continue testimony later in the day.
Representative Hudson introduced House Bill 1880 to add narrow exceptions to the Arkansas Human Life Protection Act for (1) severe threats to the mother’s life or health and (2) fatal fetal abnormalities. Hudson framed the proposal as narrow, aimed at rare, tragic cases in which continuing a pregnancy would cause significant harm and said maternal mortality data in Arkansas are concerning.
The committee heard emotional testimony from Melissa Farmer, who described a pregnancy complication (preterm premature rupture of membranes) following the Dobbs decision that led her to travel across state lines for care. Farmer said local hospitals and clinicians were constrained by the legal environment and that she faced delays and refusals: "I was haunted by that Texas mother story... A few short weeks later, my dream became a nightmare as I heard the doctor's prognosis of [premature rupture of membranes]. They told me to leave the state because the law prevented them from giving me the care that I needed." Farmer recounted being told the fetus had no viable prognosis and described difficulty finding a provider willing to perform care in nearby hospitals; she ultimately obtained care out of state but said the ordeal left her physically and financially harmed.
Hudson told the committee the bill intends to provide exceptions for victims of sexual assault and for fatal fetal anomalies; she argued that the current law forces some children and women into dangerous and traumatic situations. Committee timing constraints led the chair to recess the hearing until 15 minutes after adjournment, with testimony to resume later in the day.
Provenance evidence (selected):
"I'm presenting house bill 18 80, which is meant to amend the Arkansas Human Life Protection Act to offer some narrow exceptions to our abortion ban." — Representative Hudson (presentation)
"My husband and I were full of hope... A few short weeks later, my dream became a nightmare as I heard the doctor's prognosis... They told me to leave the state because the law prevented them from giving me the care that I needed." — Melissa Farmer (witness testimony)
Ending: The committee recessed and scheduled continuation of the hearing; the transcript records extensive, personal testimony and indicated additional witnesses and questions would follow when the committee reconvened.
