Prohibition of Abortions

This bill:

• Changes Oklahoma's abortion laws by updating how medical emergencies are defined for when abortions can be done.

  • Abortion: a medical treatment that ends a pregnancy

• Clearly explains when an abortion is allowed, in order to save the pregnant person’s life.

• Ups the punishments for doing or trying to do an abortion outside of what the law says is okay.

• Offers legal protection for people looking for abortions.

• Declares an emergency, so the changes kick in right after it’s passed.

• Will keep the definitions "Abortion" and "unborn child" found in another part of Oklahoma law.

• Redefines "Medical emergency" as:

  • A situation that can’t be fixed by just having the baby.

  • The abortion is absolutely needed to save the pregnant person’s life.

  • The person’s life must be at risk due to a physical disorder, illness, or injury.

    • The life-threatening issue can come from the pregnancy itself.

• Makes doctors try to save both the pregnant person and the baby, unless delivering the baby would put the pregnant person’s life in danger.

• Puts in place bigger punishments for breaking the rules:

  • Doing or trying to do an abortion outside of what the law says is okay is a bigger crime called felony.

  • Punishments can include:

    • Having to pay up to $100,000.

    • Having to go to prison for up to 10 years.

    • Having to pay and go to jail.

• Doesn’t stop the use of pregnancy prevention, if:

  • It’s used before pregnancy can be found.

  • It’s used the way the company that makes it says it should be.

• Allows doctors to defend themselves against legal challenges if:

  • They gave medical treatment to a pregnant person.

  • The treatment accidentally hurt or killed the unborn child.

• Declares an emergency, which means the changes will start right after the bill is passed and signed.

If this bill passes, a pregnant person won't be charged with a crime for the death of their own unborn child.

The Health and Human Services Oversight Committee looked over the bill on February 26, 2025, and recommended that it goes through.

• Health and Human Services Oversight Committee: a group of lawmakers in Oklahoma who look over bills about healthcare, hospitals, and public health.