Abortion-clinic bill goes to Hutchinson

The Arkansas Senate on Monday sent to the governor legislation that would make abortion clinics subject to immediate shutdown for health and safety violations.

The Senate voted 28-5 to approve House Bill 1428 by Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Elm Springs, who said her bill is intended to require abortion clinics to keep up with safety standards. Abortion-rights advocates have said the clinics are already in compliance with those standards.

The proposal would require the state Department of Health to immediately suspend the license of a clinic for legal or code violations that “pose an imminent threat to the health, welfare or safety of a patient.” It also would make annual inspections statutory, as well as a $ 500 fee to be paid by the clinic.