Photo: Alamy
On Wednesday, Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Okla., signed a bill prohibiting abortions after “fertilization.” According to a report from CNBC, the law allows abortion only for women whose lives are at risk or are victims of rape or incest.
Gov. Stitt’s move to sign the bill, HB 2347, into law makes Oklahoma the most pro-life state in the nation. Previously, the governor signed an abortion ban into law in April, targeting those performing abortions. SB 612 stipulated that abortions in Oklahoma would be considered felonies, except for rare medical emergencies.
Gov. Stitt commented on the historic signing in an official statement: “I promised Oklahomans that as a governor I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk and I am proud to keep that promise today.”
He added, “From the moment life begins at conception is when we have a responsibility as human beings to do everything we can do protect that baby’s life and the life of the mother. That is what I believe and that is what the majority of Oklahomans believe.”
Oklahoma’s latest pro-life law comes on the heels of a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court of the United States that alluded to the possible overturning of Roe v. Wade. Further, many states have taken strong stances against abortion in the last two years, including Florida and Texas.
For example, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed a bill in April (HB 5) that banned abortions in the Sunshine State after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Additionally, Texas’ 2021 passage of the “heartbeat bill,” which prohibits abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, has resulted in a drastic 60 percent decrease of abortions in the Lone Star State.
CNBC reported that Oklahoma’s law will be challenged by The Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood with a lawsuit.
