The Alaska Heartbeat Act proposes significant amendments to the state's abortion laws, primarily focusing on the detection of a fetal heartbeat. Under this bill, abortions cannot be performed if a fetal heartbeat is detected, except in specific medical emergencies. Physicians are required to confirm the presence of a fetal heartbeat before proceeding with an abortion and must keep detailed records of this determination. The bill also introduces new informed consent requirements, ensuring that women are made aware of the medical risks associated with abortion and the implications of a detected fetal heartbeat. Additionally, it limits enforcement of these regulations to private civil actions, allowing individuals to sue those who perform or assist in abortions that violate the new requirements, while providing certain defenses for defendants.

Moreover, the bill amends the Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure and the Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure, specifically altering provisions related to the awarding of costs and attorney fees in abortion-related cases and allowing plaintiffs to initiate actions in any judicial district. It also includes a conditional effect clause, stating that certain sections will only take effect if a two-thirds majority vote is achieved in both houses of the legislature. The legislation aims to impose stricter regulations on abortion practices while reinforcing the state's legal protections against challenges to these regulations, asserting that no right to abortion is recognized before a fetal heartbeat is detected and clarifying that the state constitution does not protect such a right.

Statutes affected:
SB0271A, AM SB 271, introduced 02/23/2026: 18.16.010, 08.64.200, 18.16.020, 18.16.030, 18.16.060, 18.16.100, 18.16.110, 18.05.032, 18.16.090, 09.55.590, 18.16.270, 18.16.120, 18.16.130, 18.16.140, 18.16.150, 18.16.160, 18.16.170, 18.16.180, 18.16.190, 18.16.200, 18.16.210, 18.16.220, 18.16.250, 18.16.230, 18.16.240, 40.25.110, 40.25.125, 18.16.260