An Act relating to abortion; relating to who may perform an abortion; relating to civil enforcement of abortion laws; relating to abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat; amending Rules 3 and 82, Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure, and Rule 508, Alaska Rules of Appellate Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

HB 357, titled the Alaska Heartbeat Act, prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, directly affecting individuals seeking abortions and healthcare providers performing them. The bill requires abortions to be conducted only by licensed physicians in approved facilities, with specific consent and notification rules for minors. It amends civil procedure rules to enable civil enforcement of these abortion restrictions, allowing lawsuits to challenge violations. The legislation cites medical findings that cardiac activity indicates a likelihood of live birth, framing the heartbeat as a key medical milestone for legal protection. This bill would restrict access to abortion services beyond the point of fetal heartbeat detection, impacting both providers and patients seeking care.