Catholic Archbishop Paul S. Coakley praises Oklahoma Legislature and Governor Kevin Stitt after the Signing of HB 4327

Following Gov. Kevin Stitt’s signing of House Bill 4327 on Wednesday (May 25), the Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City, issued the following statement:

“Building a culture of life in Oklahoma that recognizes the inherent dignity of every person requires the protections afforded by pro-life legislation and a profound change of heart. I encourage Oklahomans to pray for women in crisis pregnancy situations, for their families and loved ones, for families waiting to adopt, for fathers, and for the many pregnancy resource centers serving these brave parents. Thank you to Oklahoma’s legislative leaders and to Gov. Stitt for supporting pro-life measures.”

Crafted and advanced into law by state Representative Wendi Stearman and state Senator Julie Daniels, H.B. 4327 extends the civil liability created by H.B/ 1503 — the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act — to conception. According to a release from the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma, “To date, the new law provides the most extensive pro-life protection in the country.”

In a post-signing statement sent to CapitolBeatOK.com and other news organizations, Gov. Stitt said:

“I promised Oklahomans that as governor I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk and I am proud to keep that promise today. 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. That is what I believe and that is what the majority of Oklahomans believe.

“If other states want to pass different laws, that is their right, but in Oklahoma, we will always stand up for life.”

The Associated Press reported Wednesday, in a story by Capitol reporter Sean Murphy:

“The only exceptions in the Oklahoma law are 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 bill specifically authorizes doctors to remove a ‘dead unborn child caused by spontaneous abortion,’ or miscarriage, or to remove an ectopic pregnancy, a potentially life-threatening emergency that occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, often in a fallopian tube and early in pregnancy. The law also does not apply to the use of morning-after pills such as Plan B or any type of contraception.

“Two of Oklahoma’s four abortion clinics already stopped providing abortions after the governor signed a six-week ban earlier this month.”

In the state House of Representatives, the legislation passed last week on a vote of 73-16, with 11 members “excused”. Two Republicans opposed the measure on final passage. Democrats who voted in the House opposed the measure. In the lower chamber, the seven members excused (not voting, absent) included members of both parties — four Democrats and seven Republicans. https://legiscan.com/OK/rollcall/HB4327/id/1206025

In the upper chamber, Senators approved the measure in April roll call vote of 35-10, with three members excused (not voting, absent). Republicans overwhelmingly supported the measure, although two voted no. One Senate Democrat voted yes on the proposal. The three members excused (not voting, absent) were Republicans. https://legiscan.com/OK/rollcall/HB4327/id/1197280

Note: Patrick B. McGuigan, founder and editor of CapitolBeatOK.com, contributed to this report. CapitolBeatOK is an independent, non-partisan and locally-managed news service based in Oklahoma City.