In an effort to protect Oklahoma’s unborn, Sen. Paul Scott has authored Senate Bill 1859, which passed out of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee Monday afternoon, according to lawmakers.
The bill would require doctors to recognize life just as they do death through heartbeats and brainwaves or the lack of such activity, officials said.
“Oklahoma is a strong pro-life state, but we can do more to protect innocent lives. This is a simple, uniform way to medically determine when life begins while holding physicians accountable for recognizing that fact,” Scott said. “Physicians take an oath to protect life, and any found in violation of this law would not be able to practice medicine in Oklahoma.”
Beginning at six weeks, SB 1859 would prohibit doctors from performing abortions if a fetal or embryonic heartbeat or brainwaves are audible or detected, officials said. Doctors are now required at eight weeks to tell a mother if a heartbeat can be heard and give her the opportunity to listen to it before moving forward with the procedure.
Physicians who violate the bill would have their license revoked and could never be renewed in Oklahoma.
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