Oklahoma passes new round of anti-abortion legislation ahead of SCOTUS decision

Oklahoma legislators passed a bill on Thursday banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, a move which conservatives hope could effectively ban abortion in the Sooner State as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to rule on a case that could change the trajectory of reproductive rights across the country.

The Oklahoma House passed the legislation in a 68-12 vote on Tuesday in hopes that it would act as a “trigger” bill should the Supreme Court overrule “in whole or in part” its existing precedent established in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, US News reported.

The legislation was previously approved by the Senate and is expected to be signed by Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt within days.

Although Oklahoma already has a “trigger” mechanism in place that would revert state law to its pre-Roe policy if the precedent were reversed by the Court, SB 1555 would trigger or keep recent abortion legislation even if Roe were merely modified.

Earlier this month, Gov. Stitt signed a bill into law which made it a felony to perform an abortion at any stage of pregnancy. 

The legislation, which takes effect 90 days after the state Legislature adjourns next month, is not a complete ban on abortions and an exception is stipulated for abortions performed to save the mother’s life, the Associated Press reported.

Although abortion rights advocates have said the bill will inevitably face a legal challenge, the Supreme Court’s recent shift in favor of pro-life positions has left conservatives feeling confident.

“We want to outlaw abortion in the state of Oklahoma,” Stitt told supporters after a signing ceremony for the bill. “I promised Oklahomans that I would sign every pro-life bill that hits my desk, and that’s what we’re doing here today.”

Under the new law, anyone convicted of performing an abortion could face up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. The bill does not authorize criminal charges to be lodged against a woman for receiving an abortion.

Republican Sen. Nathan Dahm, who is now running for Congress, wrote the bill, calling it the “strongest pro-life legislation in the country right now, which effectively eliminates abortion in Oklahoma.”

Abortion rights advocates have pushed back and said that it is clear that the bill is unconstitutional. Similar laws recently approved in Arkansas and Alabama have been blocked by federal courts.