Oklahoma passes strictest abortion law in America

OKLAHOMA has passed a bill that bans almost all abortions – starting at fertilisation – in what experts say is the strictest law of its kind in America.

The bill, which will be effective immediately once signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt, only allows for exceptions if a woman has been the victim of rape or incest and has reported the crime to the police.

The law is modelled on one implemented in Texas. Abortion providers and anyone who “aids or abets” an abortion can be subject to civil suits from private individuals.

Mr Stitt has vowed to make Oklahoma the most anti-abortion state in America. No other state has banned abortions from such an early stage.

Texas, for example, has banned abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

The move has been made ahead of the expected overturning of Roe V Wade which gave women the constitutional right to have an abortion.

Oklahoma is one of 13 states to have so-called trigger laws, which would immediately make abortion illegal.