New Oklahoma law bans nearly all abortions from fertilization stage – Catholic Review

OKLAHOMA CITY (CNS) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed into legislation one of many nation’s most restrictive abortion payments Could 25, saying he has stored his promise to voters to “signal each piece of pro-life laws that got here throughout my desk.”

It bans abortions from the stage of “fertilization” and permits personal residents to sue abortion suppliers who “knowingly” carry out or induce an abortion “on a pregnant girl.” It does enable exceptions for medical emergencies or if the being pregnant was a results of rape, sexual assault or incest and reported to legislation enforcement.

“From the second life begins at conception is when we have now a accountability as human beings to do all the things we will to guard that child’s life and the lifetime of the mom,” Stitt tweeted. “That’s what I imagine and that’s what the vast majority of Oklahomans imagine.”

“If different states need to cross completely different legal guidelines, that’s their proper, however in Oklahoma we are going to all the time get up for all times,” he added.

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma Metropolis thanked legislative leaders and Stitt “for supporting pro-life measures.”

“Constructing a tradition of life in Oklahoma that acknowledges the inherent dignity of each particular person requires the protections afforded by pro-life laws and a profound change of coronary heart,” he stated in a Could 25 assertion.

On the identical time he inspired Oklahomans “to wish for girls in disaster being pregnant conditions, for his or her households and family members, for households ready to undertake, for fathers, and for the numerous being pregnant useful resource facilities serving these courageous dad and mom.”

The brand new legislation, anticipated to be challenged in court docket by teams that help legalized abortion, doesn’t ban prescriptions for or use of the morning after-pill, emergency contraception or every other kind of contraception.

“Our intent is to discourage abortion, not contraception,” state Rep. Wendi Stearman advised CNN. She sponsored the invoice.

Stitt signed a invoice in April that makes performing an abortion unlawful within the state besides within the case of a medical emergency. This may take impact this summer time if the legislation doesn’t face authorized challenges.

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