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Committee advances ‘Every Mom Matters’ bill after hours of testimony and sharp public opposition
Summary
The committee advanced HB 1195, the Every Mom Matters Act, which would require a free resource‑access assistance call for women seeking abortion and offer follow‑up services; sponsors cited studies estimating cost at $1.2–$1.5 million and projected effects, while opponents said the program forces women to call nonmedical advisers and that existing services already exist.
Representative Jim Dodson introduced House Bill 11 95, the Every Mom Matters Act (EMMA), telling the Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee the bill “reduces abortions by making sure every woman obtaining an abortion in Arkansas knows about the resources both public and private available to her to support her pregnancy and parenting should she decide not to have an abortion.” Dodson said the program would provide a free resource‑access assistance offer via a toll‑free number and follow up services through a child’s…
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