April 27, 2021
By News Director Jared Atha
Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed three bills into law aimed at restricting abortions in Oklahoma.
One of the bills was authored by a western Oklahoma lawmaker.
Stitt announced in a tweet Monday that he has signed House Bills 1904, 1102 and 2441 into law.
Under HB 2441, authored by H.D. 55 Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell, no abortion could be performed on an unborn baby who has a detectable heartbeat. The bill says anyone guilty of violating this provision would be guilty. The bill does provide an exception to save the life of the mother or avert risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function, but that exemption does not include psychological or emotional conditions.
Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is the Senate author of the legislation.
HB 1102 would include the performance of an abortion under Oklahoma’s statutes for “unprofessional conduct,” unless the abortion is necessary to prevent the death or significant physical impairment of the mother.
HB 1904 says that physicians performing abortions must be board certified in gynecology and obstetrics.
The laws will go into effect on Nov. 1.
