Oklahoma state legislature has banned all abortions, including cases of incest and rape, in their state. The Senate voted 33-12 to make abortions a felony offense that carries up to a three year prison sentence. This is the first time a state has passed a law in the US that bans all abortions. The law also prevents doctors who perform abortions from obtaining a license to practice.
Republican Governor Mary Fallin will have five days to decide whether she will sign the bill into law. The sponsor of the bill, Senator Nathan Dahm said that he believes that life begins at conception and should be protected.
In what seems to be a direct defiance of the Roe v. Wade ruling, many activists are calling it an attack on women’s rights. If the law is passed, it is possible that it will be ruled unconstitutional which will set up a legal showdown.
Another bill was also approved by legislature that requires the Department of Health to create information materials geared towards having an abortion-free society. However, it seems the bill was only symbolic as funding was declined.
Activists also believe that laws like these contribute to the high teen birthrate in Oklahoma which is the second highest in the nation. They believe the Oklahoma lawmakers should concentrate on other problems they are facing like the budget hole of 1.3 million dollars which may mean cuts to public schools and healthcare to name a few.