Oklahoma lawmakers reject giving women death penalty, abortion abolitionists vow fight isn't over
Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, is sworn into the state Senate surrounded by his wife and children on Dec. 20, 2023, at the Oklahoma State Capitol. (Photo by Carmen Forman/Oklahoma Voice)
OKLAHOMA CITY – A bipartisan coalition of state senators rebuffed a bill that could have subjected women who receive an abortion to the death penalty, but supporters are vowing to resurrect it.
'We abolishioners will not rest until we have effected the abolishment of human abortion,' said Alan Maricle, who is part of the Abolitionist Society of Tulsa.
The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday in a bipartisan vote killed Senate Bill 456 by Sen. Dusty Deevers.
The measure would have subjected women who receive an abortion to homicide charges and penalties including life in prison and death sentences.
The bill would have also outlawed abortion-inducing drugs.
It would not apply to cases where an abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother or to miscarriages.
'Children are being murdered in our state,' said Deevers, while seeking to advance the bill.
Oklahoma has some of the strongest anti-abortion laws in the nation.
Oklahoma clinics that offered the procedure have closed, resulting in women seeking an abortion to travel to other states. Abortions are banned except to save the life of the mother.
In June, the state Health Department reported that there have been zero abortions in the state since May 2022.
Deevers said there is a massive loophole in Oklahoma's anti-abortion laws, namely that women escape prosecution. The state has 'protected a class' of murderers, he said.
Sen. Shane Jett, R-Shawnee, a committee member who voted for the measure, said there are rumors that a ballot initiative may be coming on abortion access.
Supporters of abortion-rights have discussed an initiative petition to legalize abortion, but have not circulated a successful petition.
'The fear of a pro-abortion ballot measure should not deter us from doing what is right and just before God,' Deevers said.
During the committee meeting, lawmakers questioned how the measure would be enforced, suggesting that it could require pregnancy tests for women who leave and return to the state.
They also questioned whether the mail of pregnant women would need to be searched for abortion-inducing drugs.
Cindy Nguyen, ACLU of Oklahoma policy director, said Friday that bills in the Oklahoma Legislature have a way of coming back, even if they were voted down or not heard.
She said she was pleased both sides of the aisle understood just how 'dangerous' the bill was.
She expects the bill to return though.
'It tends to come up every year,' she said.
The abortion bills being introduced and passed in Oklahoma have contributed to doctors not wanting to practice in Oklahoma, resulting in maternity care deserts, Nguyen said.
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