Arkansas Telemedicine Ban (SB 913)

SB 913 would have prohibited dispensing abortion-inducing drugs (mifepristone-misoprostol regimen) by anyone other than a physician and would have required that the woman and physician both be present in the same room when the drugs are administered.

The bill also would have required 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 would not have affected telemedicine practice that does not involve the use of mifepristone or a drug or chemical used to induce abortion.

The bill provides for disciplinary action or assessment of an administrative penalty against a person who violates the law, and would have prohibited assessment of a penalty against a pregnant woman who receives a medical abortion.

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