Oklahoma governor signs law restricting abortion at fertilization

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law on Wednesday that will restrict abortion beginning at fertilization and, like the Texas Heartbeat Act, allow private citizens to sue abortionists who “knowingly” commit an abortion “on a pregnant woman.”

HB 4327 uses private enforcement through civil lawsuits rather than criminal enforcement. An abortionist or anyone who aids in the abortion could be sued for up to $10,000. There are two unnecessary exceptions with the bill allowing for abortion in cases of rape or incest and when the life of the mother is at risk. Abortion is never medically necessary to save a woman’s life because preterm delivery, surgery for an ectopic pregnancy, and emergency C-sections are not abortions.

The new law defines “fertilization” as “the fusion of a human spermatozoon with a human ovum.” It also states that abortion “does not include the use, prescription, administration, procuring, or selling of Plan B, morning-after pills, or any other type of contraception or emergency contraception.” However, many of these will cause an abortion after fertilization but before implantation.

“I promised Oklahomans that as governor I would sign every piece of pro-life legislation that came across my desk and I am proud to keep that promise today,” said Stitt in a statement. He continued, “From the moment life begins at conception is when we have a responsibility as human beings to do everything we can to protect that baby’s life and the life of the mother.”

He added that “if other states want to pass different laws, that is their right, but in Oklahoma we will always stand up for life.”

READ: WATCH Pro-Life Replies: Abortion is actually never medically necessary

This is the third pro-life law Gov. Stitt has signed this year including Senate Bill 612 which makes committing an abortion illegal in the state with an exception only for medical emergencies. Again, abortion is never medically necessary. The other law, the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act, models the Texas Heartbeat Act and restricts abortion at six weeks when a preborn child’s heartbeat can be detected — though it has been beating since about 21 days post-fertilization.

“@GovStitt just signed the strongest pro life bill in the country,” said Live Action founder and president Lila Rose on Twitter. “This law will protect all life from the moment of fertilization. As of tomorrow, every abortion facility in the great state of Oklahoma will be shut down. The pro life movement is just getting started!”

The new Oklahoma law went into effect immediately upon Stitt’s signing.

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