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Sponsor pulls HB1592 after FOIA evidence of school outreach by abortion-provider representatives; bill to be revised
Summary
Representative Mark Lowery introduced HB1592 to prohibit schools from knowingly entering transactions with abortion providers after FOIA records from Pulaski County revealed outreach activities; after questions about scope and potential unintended consequences the sponsor agreed to pull the bill for further work.
Representative Mark Lowery presented HB1592, which would bar public schools from knowingly entering into "transactions" with entities that perform or induce abortions. Lowery and witness Jerry Cox (Family Council) summarized FOIA results from Pulaski County Special School District that included outreach materials and communications dating to 2007; Cox said the records showed a school outreach role for Planned Parenthood in central Arkansas.
Committee members raised concerns about the bill—s breadth and possible collateral effects — for example, whether an individual who works for a prohibited entity but volunteers at a school would be banned from boosters or ad purchases. Sponsor and counsel emphasized the bill had been narrowed to require "knowing" associations and removed referral language, but members repeatedly questioned whether the language could sweep too broadly.
After extended questioning and suggestions to refine the draft, Representative Lowery said he would pull the bill to address concerns and return with clarified language. No final committee vote was taken; the bill was deferred for further work.
