The Oklahoma Pulse Act, Senate 1503, would prohibit abortions when a doctor can detect premature heart activity in a fetus or fetus, which can be up to six weeks after pregnancy – before Even many women know they are pregnant. The measure provides for exceptions for medical emergencies. The state Senate later Thursday also passed House Bill 4327, similar to SB 1503, which allows individuals to file civil lawsuits against abortion providers. However, House Bill 4327 would prohibit abortions anywhere in the pregnancy, with the exception of medical emergencies or if the pregnancy was the result of rape, sexual assault or incest and referred to law enforcement. The proposal, which was amended by the Senate and approved by a vote of 35-10, will need to be approved by Parliament before being sent to the governor. SB 1503 would also allow individuals to bring a civil action against a person who performs or induces an abortion, intends to perform an abortion or knowingly assists or instigates an abortion, such as paying for the procedure. According to the bill, the relief will include at least $ 10,000 in legal compensation for each abortion that the accused did or helped in violation of the law, legal fees and compensations. The bill would prohibit civil action against certain individuals, including the woman who performed the abortion or requested the procedure. The bill would also prohibit a person who has injected a woman through rape, sexual assault or incest to sue.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, has pledged to sign any bills limiting abortions that reach his office. Once signed, the bill will enter into force immediately. CNN contacted the governor’s office for comment. Earlier this month, Stitt signed into law a bill that makes abortion illegal in the state, except in the event of a medical emergency. The law, which will take effect this summer, makes it a felony to commit or attempt an abortion punishable by a maximum fine of $ 100,000 or up to a maximum of 10 years in prison or both.
Oklahoma State Representative Todd Russ, who backed the bill in House, had previously told CNN that if the nearly total ban signed into law earlier this month was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, his bill could to note, noting that the Supreme Court had allowed Texas law to take effect.
The bill was approved by the state House by a majority of Republicans on Thursday with 68-12 votes. The GOP-led state Senate approved the measure last month by a vote of 33-11.
Planned Parenthood said it would go to court to end the latest ban. Emily Wales, interim president of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, told CNN that the so-called heart rate bill is “more troubling in many ways” than the almost complete ban, in part because it was set up under Texas law. abortion providers and advocates tried to block. Oklahoma is the last state to pass legislation similar to Texas, after Idaho last month became the first state to pass a law similar to the Texas Constitution. Idaho law, however, has been temporarily blocked by the state Supreme Court in a lawsuit filed by abortion providers.
This story has been updated with additional developments on Thursday. CNN’s Rebekah Riess contributed to this report.