Arkansas Telemedicine Ban (HB 1076)

HB 1076 prohibits dispensing abortion-inducing drugs (mifepristone-misoprostol regimen) by anyone other than a physician and requires that the woman and physician both be present in the same room when the drugs are administered.

The bill also requires the physician to make reasonable efforts to ensure that the patient returns for a follow-up visit 12 to 18 days after the administration or use of the drug, and to document such efforts by including in the woman’s medical record the date, time, and name of the person making the effort.

The bill does not affect telemedicine practice that does not involve the use of mifepristone or a drug or chemical used to induce abortion.

The bill provides for civil remedies as well as disciplinary action or assessment of an administrative penalty against a person who violates the law, and prohibits legal action against a pregnant woman who receives a medical abortion or who purchases medication abortion drugs for the purposes of inducing her own abortion.

STATUS

Enrolled.  HB 1076 is now Act 1014.

Companion bill to SB 53.

Similar to SB 913 which was introduced and failed to pass in 2013.

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