Oklahoma lawmakers okay strictest abortion ban
Agence France-presse
WASHINGTON: The Oklahoma state legislature on Thursday passed a bill banning abortions from the moment of fertilisation, with some exceptions, the strictest ban so far in the US.
The action by Oklahoma follows steps taken in other Republican-led states to restrict access to abortions in anticipation of the US Supreme Court soon overturning Roe v Wade, the 1973 landmark decision allowing nation-wide access to abortion.
The bill now heads to the desk of Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican,
who is expected to sign it -at which point it would immediately come into effect.
Democratic vice-president Kamala Harris condemned the new law in a tweet on Thursday, saying it is “the latest in a series of blatant attacks on women by extremist legislators.”
Other Republican-led states such as Florida, Mississippi, and Texas have all enacted laws that previously would have been rejected by the Supreme Court under its Roe v Wade precedent, but a new conservative majority seems likely to now permit them.
The Oklahoma legislation uses a novel enforcement procedure first enacted by Texas, which allows private citizens -not the state -- to sue anyone who “performs or induces an abortion,” or “aids or abets” someone seeking an abortion.
The person filing suit under the new law would receive a minimum of $10,000 for each abortion performed, as well as court costs and attorney fees.
The Oklahoma bill includes exceptions for instances of rape or incest, but requires that they be first reported to authorities.
It also allows exceptions for pregnancies which pose a risk to the life of the mother.