§ 20-13-1403 — Emergency contraception information required

(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. (b) This section does not require: (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) 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. (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. (d) (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) Therefore, the General Assembly encourages: (A) An entity offering victim assistance or counseling and rape crisis hotlines to include information concerning the availability and use of emergency contraception; and (B) A licensed or registered pharmacy in the State of Arkansas to distribute information concerning the availability and use of emergency contraception.

Legislative History

Acts 2007, No. 1576, § 1.