Oklahoma lawmakers aim to crack down even more on state abortion laws
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Oklahoma Republican Senators Dusty Deevers and Warren Hamilton want more enforcements to the state's abortion laws.
Abortion has been illegal since May 2022, when HB 4327 was signed into law by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt.
In a press release by both senators, they say there's an estimated 3,000+ women still getting abortions annually, despite the ban.
"Before Roe v. Wade was overturned in Dobbs, those numbers were between 4,000 and 5,000. Now those numbers and projections are over 7000, even up to 7,500," said Senator Deevers.
Deevers and Hamilton argue, a ban doesn't stop Oklahoma women from still getting abortions in states where the procedure is legal, or in other ways like buying abortion pills online.
Reverend and Doctor Shannon Fleck said the debate on abortion laws will go on for years to come.
"This statement from from the senator is very much indicative of a push that has nothing to do with health or wellness," said Rev. Fleck.
Fleck also believes there's a hidden agenda in lawmakers wanting tighter restrictions, despite the procedure already being illegal in Oklahoma.
"It's all about control. Christian nationalists very much want to control how people go about their lives and specifically women," said Fleck.
News 4 asked Deevers what the bill would look like, if one was passed to tighten the current laws.
"I have filed Senate Bill 457, which is the Abolition of Abortion Act," Deevers said. "It would simply take the exception in the homicide code for self managed abortion out of the homicide code."
If passed, Deevers says if a woman is experiencing a pregnancy that has to be terminated for health and safety reasons, she or the doctor will not be punished.
"There's no intent with malice aforethought to murder a preborn child. So this bill, my bill would actually affirm her protection and it would simply protect the doctor as well," said Deevers.
News 4 reached out to Hamilton for an interview or comment and did not hear back.