The Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 17 by Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, to submit a state question to voters to amend the state constitution to extend the definition of an abortion and personhood to ensure the unborn have the same rights to life as other people.

“Life starts at conception, and Oklahomans have made it clear they want the unborn protected,” Bullard said. “This state question would allow voters to make their stance clear by stating in our state constitution that our unborn undeniably should be afforded the same rights to life as the rest of us.”

SJR 17 defines an unborn person as the unborn offspring of human beings from the moment of conception, through pregnancy and until live birth, including the human conceptus, zygote, morula, blastocyst, embryo, and fetus. It defines abortion as the use or prescription of any instrument, medicine, drug, or any other substance or device to terminate a pregnancy with an intent other than to increase the probability of a live birth, to preserve the life or health of the child after their birth, to remove an ectopic pregnancy, or to remove a dead unborn child who passed due to a spontaneous miscarriage, accidental trauma, or a criminal assault on the pregnant woman or her unborn child.

The measure would further prohibit the performance of abortions in Oklahoma unless it is necessary to prevent the death of a pregnant woman. Those convicted of violating this provision would be guilty of manslaughter in the first degree.

“Abortion is the only medical procedure where the patient’s death is considered a success. This is egregious, and we as a society must stop making excuses for this immorality and protect those who can’t fight for themselves,” Bullard said.

The resolution, mirroring similar legislation passed in Missouri, now goes to the House for further consideration. If approved there, it would go on the 2022 General Election ballot in November.

The Senate approved a slate of bills to slow down or stop abortion in Oklahoma.

The Senate approved the following bills:

Senate Bill 1503 creates the Oklahoma Heartbeat Act, which would allow a private civil action to be brought against anyone performing an abortion after a fetal heartbeat has been detected, except in a medical emergency.

Senate Bill 1552 expands the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s ability to directly contract with private organizations that provide services related to the Choosing Childbirth Act.

Senate Bill 1553 modifies state statutes and moves to 30-days from conception the prohibition on abortion in Oklahoma.

Senate Bill 1555  amends “trigger language” from 2021’s SB 918 that said if the central holdings of Roe v. Wade or Planned Parenthood v. Casey be overturned, or should the U.S. Constitution be amended to allow states to set abortion policy, Oklahoma may resume enforcement of the prohibition of abortion in state statute.

Senate Joint Resolution 37  would send to a vote of the people a constitutional amendment to prohibit the Oklahoma Supreme Court from reading into the Oklahoma Constitution a guaranteed right to an abortion.

It now move to the House for.