Oklahoma Passes One Of The Most Restrictive Abortion Bans In The US

Oklahoma lawmakers gave final legislative approval for a bill that would make abortion illegal in the state, with medical professionals facing up to 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

The bill would criminalise doctors performing an abortion in almost any case, except where it could ‘save the life of a pregnant woman’ facing a medical emergency.

That means even women who have become pregnant through rape or incest would still have to carry their baby to full term.

It's one of the most restrictive abortion rulings in the United States.

The bill will now have to be approved by Republican governor Kevin Stitt, who previously said he would sign off on any anti-abortion legislation that came across his desk.

The wave of restrictions comes as the US Supreme Court weighs in on a case that could overturn abortion rights that have been in place for 50 years.

The Republican-controlled House in Oklahoma voted 70-14 for the bill to be sent to the governor’s office and there was little discussion and or debate about it.

However, the bill’s passage comes as protesters held a 'Bans Off Oklahoma' outside the capitol yesterday (April 6).

"These legislators have continued their relentless attacks on our freedoms," she said.

"These restrictions are not about improving the safety of the work that we do. They are about shaming and stigmatising people who need and deserve abortion access."

Abortion rights have come under intense scrutiny in the last year, as Texas made abortion illegal at just six weeks of pregnancy. 

Similarly, Tennessee is considering an abortion ban modelled on the Texas legislation.

The bill has also proposed that families of rapists can sue anyone who helps rape victims get access to abortion, claiming up to $10,000 worth of damages.

"It's really just going to bring all sorts of lawsuits and force people to have to potentially answer questions about a miscarriage."