The Arkansas state senate passed legislation banning the prescription of abortion pills via telemedicine.
The new bill, which was filed in January 2015, requires a physician to be present when a patient takes an abortion-inducing medication. Violations of the bill could result in a physician's license being revoked and possible punitive damages. Arkansas Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson has expressed support for the bill, according to the Bellingham Herald.
The bill must still be signed into law by the state House of Representatives. Opponents have said the measure restricts abortion access and that there are no plans currently to offer abortion pills via telemedicine in the state at present, according to the report.