NewsLocal News

Actions

Gov. Stitt signs new Oklahoma abortion ban

Stitt signs anti-abortion bill
Posted at 4:50 PM, May 03, 2022
and last updated 2022-05-04 10:47:10-04

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill Tuesday mirroring a Texas law that bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

Stitt tweeted photos of his signing of Senate Bill 1503, the "Oklahoma Heartbeat Act," on Tuesday afternoon.

Stitt has maintained throughout his time in office that he'd sign any anti-abortion legislation that comes across his desk.

The law now prohibits abortions once cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo, which experts say is roughly six weeks into a pregnancy — before most women know they are pregnant. The bill is similar to a bill passed in Texas last year that led to a dramatic reduction in the number of abortions performed in that state and forced many women to go to Oklahoma and other surrounding states for the procedure.

The announcement came Tuesday as the U.S. Supreme Court investigates a leak of an opinion draft that suggested the court was preparing to overrule the landmark Roe v. Wade case.

MORE >>> What happens to abortion in Oklahoma if SCOTUS overturns Roe v. Wade?

Here is a look at the language of SB 1503:


Trending Stories:

Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --