On Tuesday, the Oklahoma House gave its final consent for a bill that would make performing an abortion procedure a felony. It could lead to a 10-year prison sentence.
The Republican-ran House voted 70-14. Now, the bill will go to Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt. He has already stated that he would sign any bill that is related to anti-abortion.
The Oklahoma bill has made one exception. An abortion may be conducted if the mother’s life is in danger.
If someone is found guilty of performing an abortion, they could also be given a $100,000 fine.
“The penalties are for the doctor, not for the woman,” stated Rep. Jim Olsen.
On the same day that the bill passed, a “Bans Off Oklahoma” protest took place next to the Capitol by those who are proponents of abortion rights.
“These restrictions are not about improving the safety of the work that we do. They are about shaming and stigmatizing people who need and deserve abortion access,” said a Planned Parenthood executive.
She added that abortions in Oklahoma have increased 80% since Texas put into place their restrictive anti-abortion law.
Last year, a Texas law was implemented that prohibits abortions after a heart beat is detected. The state did make exceptions in cases of rape or incest.
