TULSA, Okla. — Oklahoma Attorney General John O'Connor's office released guidance Wednesday to combat misinformation about abortion laws.
Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Oklahoma's trigger law made it one of the most restrictive states for abortion in the country. O'Connor's statement Thursday addressed questions about the state's laws and how violators should be handled by law enforcement.
“None of our laws—civil or criminal—punish the mother in connection with an abortion,” O’Connor said.
The release from his office included the following situations that Oklahoma's criminal and civil abortion laws do not apply:
- Unintentional miscarriages
- Ectopic pregnancies and related treatments
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Contraception, including Plan B
Oklahoma criminalized abortion in 1910, and a new law criminalizing abortion with increased penalties took effect in late August. Oklahoma also passed laws approving private civil damages against those who perform or assist in performing abortions in Oklahoma.
O'Connor's office said they've heard several instances in which women and doctors are being told otherwise. They provided further guidance for law enforcement and prosecutors of those who'd break those abortion laws:
Trending Stories:
- Thieves cause $30,000 in damage to This Machine Tulsa bikes
- DOWNLOAD the 2 News Oklahoma app for alerts
- Cherokee man waits for judge's ruling on whistleblower case
- FOLLOW 2 News Oklahoma on Facebook
- Tulsa looks to get a major grant to address flooding in midtown
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Twitter
