Oklahoma Governor Kevin State speaks in Washington, DC. On Wednesday, State signed a bill banning nearly all abortions after “fertilization,” making it the most restrictive abortion law in the country.
Alex Wong | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Oklahoma state Kevin State on Wednesday signed off on a bill that would ban nearly all abortions after “fertilization,” making it the most restrictive abortion law in the country.
State law, which takes effect immediately, allows abortion only when the pregnant woman’s life is in danger or when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest that has been reported to law enforcement.
It is also similar to a Texas law that allows people to bring civil claims against anyone involved in aiding or abetting the procedure.
“I promised the people of Oklahoma that I, as governor, would sign every pro-life legislation that came through my desk and I’m proud to keep that promise today,” State, a Republican who is seeking a second term as governor, said in a statement. . “From the moment life begins at conception, we have a responsibility as human beings to do everything we can to protect this baby’s life and that of the mother.”
Center for Reproductive Rights and Family Planning Wed said They will sue Oklahoma over the new law.
Stitt previously signed off on a measure that would ban abortions once cardiac activity was detected, at about six weeks. NBC News reported this month that the ban had prompted the state’s four abortion clinics to refuse patients.
Last month, State signed a bill criminalizing abortion. The measure is scheduled to enter into force this year.
State signed the latest bill just weeks after a leaked majority opinion draft written by Justice Samuel Alito indicated that the Supreme Court was willing to overturn Roe v. valley. The decision may come in late June or early July.
“We are seeing the beginning of a domino effect that will spread across the entire South and Midwest if Roe falls,” Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement Wednesday.
“The ban on abortion after six weeks was not extreme enough for legislators in Oklahoma. The goal of the anti-abortion movement is to ensure that no one can have an abortion at any time, for any reason,” she said. “Right now, patients in Oklahoma are thrown into chaos and fear. And this chaos will only get worse as neighboring states cut off access to it as well.”