Arkansas committee passes bill that bans dismemberment abortions

An Arkansas state legislative committee has passed a bill that would ban dismemberment abortion, a method used by abortionists to dismember the unborn child inside the mother's body using surgical instruments.

The bill, known as the Arkansas Unborn Child Protection From Dismemberment Abortion Act, would ban the dilation and evacuation procedure, which is commonly used in the second trimester. It was filed by state Rep. Andy Mayberry, who described the procedure as "particularly barbaric, cruel and savage." The committee of 16 Republicans and four Democrats approved the proposal on a voice vote.

Under the legislation, abortion practitioners who use the procedure could face up to six years' imprisonment and be fined up to $10,000. The measure would allow the procedure to be used to prevent serious risk to the mother's health, but it does not provide exemptions in cases of rape or incest.

Dr. Richard Wyatt, a Little Rock obstetrician, told the panel that the dilation and evacuation procedure requires the doctor to reconstruct the fetus outside the womb like a puzzle to ensure that all the parts have been removed and reduce the risk of infection, Associated Press reported.

Victoria Leigh, a lawyer representing the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, argued that the alternative procedure for second-trimester abortion would require hospitalization and increased risk to a woman's health.

She accused the supporters of the measure of using inflammatory language to describe the procedure rather than a scientific description.

Ingrid Duran of the National Right to Life Committee responded to her accusation saying: "Arkansas is on the right path to protect unborn children from such a heinous act which tears the baby apart limb by limb. I can assure you there is nothing 'inflammatory' about describing the sickening reality of dismemberment abortions."

Leigh, who told reporters that the measure is "likely to pass" in the Legislature, vowed to challenge the bill in court if it becomes law.

Laura McQuade, president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, also expressed her intention to oppose the bill.

Similar measures have been passed in other states, but it is currently facing court challenges in Louisiana, Alabama and Kansas, according to Arkansas Online. The proposal is now up for consideration in the full House, which, Mayberry said, could happen as soon as Monday.