Oklahoma’s legislature and governor have teamed up this year to pass an impressive number of new laws – nine in all – designed to protect preborn babies. Governor Kevin Stitt, several state lawmakers and Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser recently came together for a signing ceremony to celebrate that accomplishment.
“I promised Oklahomans I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk and I am proud to keep that promise,” said Governor Stitt in a press release. “As a father of six, it’s an honor to be the most pro-life governor in the country and I will always step up to protect the lives of unborn children.”
The nine bills include:
SB 918 – Known as a “trigger law,” this bill restores Oklahoma’s prohibition on abortion if Roe v. Wade is overturned.
HB 1102 – Adds “performance of an abortion” to state statutes regarding “unprofessional conduct,” with exceptions for the life of the mother or significant physical impairment of the mother.
HB 1904 – Requires an abortionist to be board certified in obstetrics and gynecology.
HB 2441 – Prohibits abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Exceptions include to avert death to mother or serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function. Those exceptions do not include psychological or emotional conditions.
SB 778 and SB 779 – Provides safeguards and protocols for women taking abortion-inducing drugs.
SB 960 – Increases time period for relinquishing a baby to a medical services provider or child rescuer without prosecution from 7 to 30 days. Also directs state agency to award grants to those providing such services.
SB 647 – Also known as “Lily’s Law,” SB 647 requires birthing centers and other medical facilities to keep a written policy to allow for the family to direct the disposition of the remains of the child who was stillborn or miscarried.
SB 584 – Stops trafficking in fetal body parts by defunding Medicaid reimbursements to anyone found participating in the practice.
SBA List’s Dannenfelser spoke at the ceremony, noting, “Life is winning in Oklahoma and across America. I’m proud to stand with Governor Stitt at this historic moment and thank him for his leadership on behalf of pro-life Americans.”
Photo from Shutterstock.
