Arkansas adopts more safeguards for unborn babies

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, signed a law Friday protecting unborn babies from abortion starting at 18 weeks of pregnancy. The law includes exceptions for rape, incest, and medical emergencies. It will take effect 90 days after the Arkansas General Assembly formally adjourns this year’s session, which is expected to occur in May. The state already has a law on the books that safeguards babies from abortion at 20 weeks of gestation.

Utah’s legislature has sent a nearly identical 18-week law to its GOP governor, Gary Herbert. Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, also a Republican, on Friday signed legislation to protect babies with a detectable heartbeat, but a federal judge blocked the law the same day after the American Civil Liberties Union filed suit.

Pro-abortion opponents of the Arkansas law have said they plan to challenge it in court.

Editor’s note: WORLD has updated this report with more information about the Kentucky abortion law.