The law allows private citizens to sue abortion providers in almost all cases, a model first used in Texas.
Oklahoma’s conservative governor has signed into law the most severe abortion restriction currently active in the United States.
The law, passed by the state’s Republican-controlled legislature last week and signed into law on Wednesday by Governor Kevin Stitt, allows private citizens to sue abortion providers in almost all situations, allowing exceptions only to save the life of a pregnant woman or if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest that has been reported to law enforcement.
The legislation is modelled after a similar Texas law, which effectively banned abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, designed to be enforced by civil lawsuits rather than criminal prosecution.
In a statement, Sitt said he had “promised Oklahomans that as governor I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk”.
“From the moment life begins at conception is when we have a responsibility as human beings to do everything we can to protect that baby’s life and the life of the mother”, he said. “That is what I believe and that is what the majority of Oklahomans believe”....
English (US) ·