Governor Stitt of Oklahoma Signs SB 1503

For Immediate Release: May 3, 2022
Media Contacts: press@prochoice.org; 202-918-7768

Today, Governor Stitt of Oklahoma signed SB 1503, which take effect immediately. Modeled after Texas’ restrictive 6-week abortion ban, SB 1503 comes on the heels of the passage of SB 612, a near-total ban on abortion which will become law 90 days after the adjournment of the Oklahoma legislature.

Statement from Melissa Fowler, National Abortion Federation’s Chief Program Officer:

Oklahoma’s passage of two back-to-back abortion bans is cruel and will have a devastating impact on people in the state and residents in neighboring states. The passage of SB1503 today – modeled after Texas’ SB 8 vigilante law – puts enforcement of the law in the hands of private citizens and allows vigilantes to act as bounty hunters and target abortion providers. Ultimately, this law is incredibly dangerous because it denies abortion seekers their bodily autonomy and obstructs abortion providers’ ability to provide essential care to patients.

These bills not only pose an imminent threat to Oklahoma residents but people across the region. For months, scores of Texans have sought abortion access in Oklahoma. This abortion ban will have a ripple effect and has the potential to push abortion access out of reach for an entire region. This laws comes after a devastating leaked draft Supreme Court opinion suggests that the Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The National Abortion Federation and our members will continue to help people in Oklahoma and those around the region access care quickly and safely. For those who cannot obtain care in Oklahoma under this harmful law, we will help them find a provider outside the state and assist with their travel if their life circumstances allow that. If you are in Oklahoma and need help finding an abortion provider, call the NAF Hotline at 1-800-772-9100.