Oklahoma Passes Total Abortion Ban

For Immediate Release: April 5, 2022
Media Contacts: press@prochoice.org; 202-918-7768

Today, the Oklahoma legislature passed SB 612, which bans abortions outright and criminalizes their provision in the state. The only narrow exception provided is if the abortion is necessary to save the pregnant person’s life. If signed into law by Governor Stitt, it would take effect as soon as this summer — eliminating abortion access in the state of Oklahoma. 

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

“SB 612 passed by the Oklahoma legislature will ban all abortions in Oklahoma and criminalize the provision of abortions outright. This ban completely violates the protections offered by Roe v. Wade, and is entirely unconstitutional.  

Oklahoma’s abortion ban, which goes even further than Texas SB 8, is cruel and if it takes effect, will have a devastating impact on Oklahoma residents, neighboring Texans, as well as an entire region facing attacks to their rights to abortion access. Arbitrary limits on what people can and cannot do with their bodies are driven by power-hungry politicians, not science, and will harm pregnant people and their communities. At a time when there are so many pressing issues that need attention, Oklahoma politicians have doubled down on restricting access to essential health care rather than serving the needs of people in the state. 

The National Abortion Federation and our members will continue to help Oklahoma residents and those around the region access care quickly and safely even if that means helping patients find providers outside the state and assisting with their travel, if their life circumstances allow it. If you are in Oklahoma and need help finding an abortion provider, call the NAF Hotline at 1-800-772-9100.”