Oklahoma is Looking to Outlaw Abortions by Year’s End
Within the next year, Oklahoma's abortion laws could be radically changed to the point that they will be outlawed by the end of 2022. Recently the Oklahoma House Public Health Committee passed a measure (HB-4327) that would ban abortions in the state. It has now been sent to the full Oklahoma House where it's expected to pass. If it does the new laws would go into effect on November 1st, 2022 (11-01-22).
Prior to this additional legislation was passed by a panel or Oklahoma Senate Committee that focused on 5 anti-abortion bills. One of which would ban abortions 30 days after conception, which is usually before a woman is even aware of the pregnancy. It's going to be a showdown between the pro-life and pro-choice.
Texas has already passed some of the most restrictive abortion laws in the Nation. It's basically outlawed and Oklahoma is working towards the same type of outcome. In Texas, abortions dropped close to 60% after the bills were passed. It had the opposite effect on neighboring states like Oklahoma and Louisiana.
Both states saw dramatic increases in abortions due to the anti-abortion laws in Texas. This caused women from Texas to seek abortions outside of their state where they have basically been banned except in a few rare circumstances. I believe the only time an abortion is permitted/legal is to save the life of the mother.
Oklahoma house bill (HB-4327) is very similar to the Texas bill and would basically do the same thing. The bill would prohibit doctors from performing abortions in the state and would also allow persons to take civil action of $10,000 or more against any physician or person who assists a woman in getting an abortion.
The bill that's working its way through the Oklahoma house is just like the one in Texas. It includes the same language when it comes to the circumstances that must be met for a woman to get an abortion legally. "A physician may not knowingly perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman unless such abortion is performed to save the life of the mother." You can click here to read house bill (HB-4327) in its entirety.
So what are your opinions about all this? Should abortions be banned in Oklahoma except in the case to save the mother? Take the quick poll below and let us know your thoughts.