LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas’ governor has signed into law a measure that would ban abortion in the state if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its landmark 1973 ruling legalizing the procedure nationwide.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s office says the Republican on Tuesday signed the legislation, making Arkansas the fifth state with a “trigger” abortion ban on the books. The majority-Republican Legislature gave the bill final approval last week.
The proposal would ban all abortions, except for medical emergencies, if the nation’s high court overturns the Roe v. Wade decision. The ban would also take effect if the U.S. Constitution was amended to allow states to ban abortion.
The proposal is among several abortion restrictions the majority-Republican Legislature is considering this year. Arkansas already bans abortion 20 weeks into a woman’s pregnancy.
