Arkansas is likely to be the first state to pass a bill similar to Texas’ six-week abortion ban ― the most extreme abortion restriction in U.S. history that has forced many to flee the state to receive care.

Arkansas state Sen. Jason Rapert (R) announced last week that he will introduce the Arkansas Heartbeat Protection Act on Oct. 25 during a special legislative session. Although Rapert has yet to formally release the bill, he said it will include “a civil cause of action ― just like Texas.” It’s very likely that the legislation will mirror S.B. 8, especially coming from Rapert who, when S.B. 8 became law in September, told news outlets: “What Texas has done is absolutely awesome.”

In addition to banning abortion after six weeks (a point at which many people don’t yet realize they’re pregnant), Texas’ S.B. 8 includes financial incentives for private citizens to seek out and sue anyone who “aids or abets” Texans trying to get an abortion. If someone successfully sues, they could receive a bounty of at least $10,000 and have all of their legal fees paid for by the opposing side.

Reproductive rights advocates warned the country when S.B. 8 passed that copycat legislation in other red states was likely. And, so far, the legislation is working as Republican lawmakers intended. The restriction has forced pregnant Texans seeking abortions to flee the state; it’s instilled fear in many who are confused by the intentionally vague legislation; and it’s chilled conversations on the ground for providers and organizers who are fearful of legal ramifications.

The same will likely happen in Arkansas if the state successfully passes Rapert’s copycat bill.

“The reality of what this means for the region is very, very real and present,” said Emily Wales, the CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains. “It would only increase that crisis to Arkansans who would then be forced to travel, if they can afford to, to states even farther out ― potentially overwhelming the neighboring states that are trying to support Texans.”

Arkansas already has a long list of anti-abortion laws on the books that severely restrict access to care for pregnant people in the state. In the most recent legislative session alone, the state passed 20 abortion restrictions. Just this year, Arkansas passed a near-total abortion ban that was eventually blocked by a federal judge. And the state also passed a trigger law in 2019 that will immediately ban abortion if Roe v. Wade ― the landmark Supreme Court case that protects the right to abortion ― is overturned. Currently, there are only two abortion clinics in the entire state of Arkansas, and 77% of women live in counties with no abortion clinic.

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