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Committee approves bill requiring abortion providers to hold hospital transfer agreements amid heated testimony
Summary
Senate Bill 527, which would require abortion providers to maintain a hospital transfer agreement and make human‑trafficking information available, passed the committee after opponents said transfer/admitting provisions would restrict access and supporters said it ensures continuity of care.
The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 527 after debate and public testimony. The measure requires abortion providers to have a written transfer agreement with a hospital to accept patients if unforeseen complications arise and requires facilities to make available a human‑trafficking information card known as "Laura's card." Senator Gilmore, sponsor of the bill, described it as a continuity‑of‑care measure and said it also contains minor cleanup language.
Two witnesses from the Arkansas Abortion Support Network testified against the bill. Karen Musick said the measure "turns it into an anti abortion bill" and challenged why the legislature would use this bill to address human trafficking. Musick asked why hospitals would sign agreements to cover "unforeseen complications" linked to abortion care and urged a 'no' vote. Allie Taylor, cofounder and president of Arkansas Abortion Support Network, opposed the transfer‑agreement and admitting‑privilege provisions, noting similar provisions in Texas and Louisiana were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court and arguing the requirements would make it harder or impossible to provide abortions in Arkansas.
Senator Gilmore responded that the bill requires transfer agreements (not admitting privileges) and that the measure improves continuity of care. He pointed to a Sixth Circuit decision upholding a similar law in Kentucky and said the bill also requires facilities to have the human‑trafficking information card on hand.
The committee heard no witnesses in favor who had signed up; after closing remarks from the sponsor the committee approved the bill by voice vote. The transcript records the motion to pass and the chair's announcement that the bill "has passed" but does not include a roll‑call tally.
Next step: SB527 will advance to the Senate floor for further consideration.
