Oklahoma’s state senate is considering a bill that would criminalize all abortions in the state, without exception, “in any circumstance.”
Senate Bill 13 was filed Thursday by Joseph Silk, a republican state senator in Oklahoma who has been relentless in his pursuit to outlaw all abortions in his home state. Last year, Silk filed a similar bill, and it did not get a hearing.
The bill’s intent is to “provide to unborn children the equal protection of the laws of this state.”
The bill sets forth harsh punishments for any woman who has a successful abortion — it states that “any abortion procedure that results in the death of an unborn child is subject to the same laws governing homicide, manslaughter, justifiable homicide, and excusable homicide.”
But then, the bill takes things a step further. It has a provision that says “representatives of the deceased” — meaning, presumably, those related to the unborn fetus — are permitted to recover “wrongful damages.”
Furthermore, the bill would criminalize anyone who provided abortion services.
“Physicians, physical assistants, abortion clinics, and counseling services cannot provide any counseling, referrals, or services related to abortion.” It also explicitly repeals all other state laws related to abortion, and says that the law should supersede any federal law.
It is already incredibly difficult to end a pregnancy in Oklahoma, and Silk is far from the first lawmaker in the state who has tried to make it even harder. Last year’s “Humanity of the Unborn Child Act” would have required anti-abortion signage to be hung in all public restrooms in the state.
In a statement to KOCO on Friday, Silk doubled down on the intention of the bill.
“Senate Bill 13 is a bill that calls for a total abolition of human abortion in Oklahoma,” Silk said.
“If signed into law, SB 13 would classify abortion as murder. This measure shows that Oklahomans value and protects life at stages.”