Oklahoma is moving forward with restricting abortion access in the entire state.
The state’s House of Representatives decided to pass a bill Thursday prohibiting practically all abortions from the moment of fertilization.
House Bill 4327, sponsored by the Republicans, makes an exception for incidents of rape and incest that have been reported to law police. It also permits doctors to perform abortions to preserve the pregnant woman’s life.
The bill was passed 73-16, primarily along party lines, on Thursday.
GOP state Rep. Wendi Stearman said in a statement, “It is my sincere hope that in addition to the crime bill passed this session, this civil liability bill will provide strong, additional protection of the life of unborn children in Oklahoma.”
Contraception, such as the morning-after pill, is not prohibited under House Bill 4327. “Abortion does not include the use, prescription, administration, procurement, or sale of Plan B, morning-after pills, or other contraception or emergency contraception.”
The bill is now on its way to Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt’s desk, where he is anticipated to sign it immediately.
SB 1503, often known as the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act, was signed by the Republican governor just weeks ago. After a baby’s heartbeat is detected, which generally happens around the six-week mark, the measure prohibits abortions in the state.
Stitt has previously stated that he will sign any measure restricting abortion access, claiming that he wants Oklahoma to be “the most pro-life state in the country.”
In a statement to CNN, Alexis McGill-Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, criticized HB 4327.
“Oklahoma will be the first state in the country to completely outlaw abortion – even while Roe still stands,” she said, adding that her organization intends to challenge the bill. “What little abortion access is left in the state will be gone, and the crisis faced by Oklahoma patients and those that depend on access in the state will worsen.”
Discover more from Baller Alert
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
