Capitol Beat OK

CapitolBeatOK Staff Report

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and several lawmakers held a ceremonial bill signing recently for nine pro-life laws.

The laws include banning abortions if a doctor can detect a fetal heartbeat, and only doctors board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology can perform an abortion.

All nine bills and their authors are listed below:

1. Senate Bill 918 restores Oklahoma’s prohibition on abortion if Roe v Wade is overturned. Effective November 1, 2021, SB918 was authored by Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City.

2. House Bill 1102 adds the performance of an abortion under state statutes for “unprofessional conduct,” with exceptions for the life or significant physical impairment of the mother. Effective November 1, 2021, H.B. 1102 was authored by Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, and Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville.

3. House Bill 1904 requires abortionists to be board certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Effective November 1, 2021, H.B. 1904 was authored by Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan.

4. House Bill 2241 prohibits abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected. Effective November 1, 2021, H.B. 2441 was authored by Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell, and Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville.

5. Senate Bill 778 provides safeguards surrounding the use of abortion-inducing drugs. Effective November 1, 2021, S.B. 778 & S.B. 779 were authored by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, and Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore.

6. Senate Bill 779 provides safeguards surrounding the use of abortion-inducing drugs. Effective November 1, 2021, S.B. 778 & S.B. 779 were authored by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, and Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore.

7. Senate Bill 960 protects relinquished children by extending the time frame they can be relinquished to rescuers from 7-30 days. It also directs the Oklahoma State Department of Health to award grants for the child to be placed into a “Baby Box” where the newborn can be relinquished. Effective July 1, 2021, S.B. 960 was authored by Sen. President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, and Speaker of the House Rep. Charles McCall, R-Atoka.

8. Senate Bill 647 created Lily’s Law. Lily’s Law requires birthing centers and other medical facilities to keep a written policy to allow for the family to direct the disposition of the remains of the child who was stillborn or miscarried. Effective November 1, 2021, S.B. 647 was authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, and Rep. Merilyn Stark, R-Bethany.

9. Senate Bill 584 prohibits fetal trafficking. Effective July 1, 2021, SB 584 was authored by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, and Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt signs nine pro-life bills into law