Apr
The Oklahoma House Judiciary and Public Safety Committee on Wednesday approved a bill (SB 1878) that combines several previously passed abortion-related measures, NewsOK.com reports.
Under the bill, sponsored by Rep. Pam Peterson (R), health care workers would be allowed to refuse to participate in abortions. The measure also would require abortion providers to perform ultrasounds on women seeking abortions and offer women an opportunity to view the images. In addition, the bill would require signs to be posted in abortion clinics that say it is illegal for people to force a pregnant women to have abortions, regardless of their relationship with the women. The measure also includes a provision that would regulate the medication abortion pill mifepristone, also known as RU-486.
Peterson said the legislation would provide women with as much information as possible before having an abortion. She added that it would protect the integrity of medical professionals who object to performing abortions.
In related news, a Senate subcommittee on Wednesday approved a bill (HB 1897) that would make it a felony to assault a pregnant woman and cause a miscarriage. Under the bill, sponsored by Sen. Debbe Leftwich (D), a person who knowingly assaults a pregnant woman could be charged with a misdemeanor and jailed up to one year. A second subsequent offense would be a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, NewsOK.com reports. If a miscarriage or injury to the fetus is caused by the assault, the perpetrator could be charged with a felony, punishable up to 20 years in prison (Greiner/McNutt, NewsOK.com, 3/27).
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