View Our Newest Version Here

2020 Arkansas Code
Title 20 - Public Health and Welfare
Subtitle 2 - Health and Safety
Chapter 13 - Emergency Medical Services
Subchapter 14 - Emergency Contraception for Victims of Sexual Assault
§ 20-13-1403. Emergency contraception information required

Universal Citation:
AR Code § 20-13-1403 (2020)
Learn more This media-neutral citation is based on the American Association of Law Libraries Universal Citation Guide and is not necessarily the official citation.
  1. (a) All healthcare facilities that are licensed in this state and provide emergency care to sexual assault survivors shall amend their evidence-collection protocols for the treatment of sexual assault survivors to include informing the survivor in a timely manner of the availability of emergency contraception as a means of pregnancy prophylaxis and educating the sexual assault survivor on the proper use of emergency contraception and the appropriate follow-up care.

  2. (b) This section does not require:

    1. (1) A healthcare professional who is employed by a healthcare facility that provides emergency care to a sexual assault survivor to inform the sexual assault survivor of the availability of emergency contraception if the healthcare professional refuses to provide the information on the basis of religious or moral beliefs; or

    2. (2) A healthcare facility to provide emergency contraception to a sexual assault survivor who is not at risk of becoming pregnant as a result of the sexual assault or who was already pregnant at the time of the sexual assault.

  3. (c) The General Assembly encourages each healthcare facility to provide training to emergency room staff concerning the efficacy of emergency contraception and the time-sensitive nature of the drug.

  4. (d)

    1. (1) Because emergency contraception is time-sensitive and a sexual assault survivor may seek information on or direct access to emergency contraception to prevent an unintended pregnancy resulting from the assault instead of or before seeking hospital treatment, it is critical that a sexual assault survivor has accurate information about the availability and use of emergency contraception.

    2. (2) Therefore, the General Assembly encourages:

      1. (A) An entity offering victim assistance or counseling and rape crisis hotlines to include information concerning the availability and use of emergency contraception; and

      2. (B) A licensed or registered pharmacy in the State of Arkansas to distribute information concerning the availability and use of emergency contraception.

Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. Arkansas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.