Oklahoma governor signs bill to make abortion illegal
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed into law a bill making it a felony to perform an abortion, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.[MGN]
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed into law a bill making it a felony to perform an abortion, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The Republican governor signed the bill on Tuesday after it easily passed the Republican-controlled House and Senate.
Abortion rights advocates say the bill is clearly unconstitutional and is likely to face a legal challenge. It takes effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns next month.
The bill makes an exception only for an abortion performed to save the life of the mother. Its passage is part of a trend of GOP-led states passing aggressive anti-abortion legislation as the conservative U.S. Supreme Court considers ratcheting back abortion rights that have been in place for nearly 50 years.