Oklahoma’s governor signed three bills restricting access to abortion into law Monday — including one that would open up doctors to murder charges for performing the procedure.
Doctors could now face criminal charges for performing an abortion on a fetus with a heartbeat — which can be detected as early as six weeks, before many women even know they’re pregnant.
Under the new law, providers may also be stripped of their medical licenses for “unprofessional conduct’ if they’re caught performing an abortion that’s not deemed medically necessary — to either save the life of the mother or prevent her from becoming permanently disabled.
Abortions in the state may only be done by board-certified obstetricians and gynecologists, according to the new law.
Republican Governor Kevin Stitt tweeted, “I’m keeping my promise to sign all pro-life legislation. We now have three more laws protecting the lives of the unborn! HB 2441, HB 1904, and HB 1102.”
Republicans cheered the controversial legislation.
“I am optimistic that this legislation will help lower the abortion rate in Oklahoma,” said Republican state Representative Cynthia Roe, who authored and introduced the legislation.
Gloria Pedro, a regional Planned Parenthood manager in the state, told local station KFOR that she was disappointed by the new laws.
“The legislation that passed today is designed to punish abortion providers, shame women and block access to safe, legal abortion,” she said.
With Post wires