Senate advances pro-life bills

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate on Thursday approved a slate of pro-life measures to ensure the state values and protects the lives of the unborn.

“Since the grave error of Roe, states like Oklahoma have worked diligently to enact measures to protect the lives of the unborn and the bills passed today by the Senate further that work and will help sustain a culture in our state that values and protects life at all stages. It is my sincere hope federal legal precedents allowing abortion are overturned, restoring Oklahoma’s ability to prohibit abortion once again. Until that welcomed day, I will continue to lead the Oklahoma Senate to enact measures to save the lives of the unborn,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

The Senate approved the following pro-life bills:

• Senate Bill 1503 by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, creates the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act, which would allow a private civil action to be brought against anyone performing an abortion after a fetal heartbeat has been detected, except in a medical emergency.
• Senate Bill 1552 by Treat expands the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s ability to directly contract with private organizations that provide services related to the Choosing Childbirth Act.
• Senate Bill 1553 by Treat modifies current state statutes and moves to 30-days from conception the prohibition on abortion in Oklahoma.
• Senate Bill 1555 by Treat amends “trigger language” from 2021’s SB 918 that said if the central holdings of Roe v. Wadeor Planned Parenthood v. Casey be overturned, or should the U.S. Constitution be amended to allow states to set abortion policy, Oklahoma may resume enforcement of the existing prohibition of abortion in state statute or enact similar statutes prohibiting an abortion throughout pregnancy.
• Senate Joint Resolution 17 by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, would send to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment that would state life begins at conception and the unborn enjoy the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
• Senate Joint Resolution 37 by Treat would send to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment to prohibit the Oklahoma Supreme Court from reading into the Oklahoma Constitution a guaranteed right to an abortion.

The measures now move to the Oklahoma House for consideration.