Gov. Kevin Stitt signed three bills to restrict abortion in Oklahoma but nothing that would abolish the killing of unborn babies in Oklahoma.

The Senate passed House Bill 1904 by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, which would allow abortions to continue but only by certified obstetricians and gynecologists.

“Under current law, any licensed physician can perform this medical procedure. Until we can completely stop abortions in Oklahoma, this bill will ensure that at least women are being seen by a licensed OB-GYN,” Garvin said. “This can be a dangerous procedure, and should an emergency arise or the mother experience adverse effects, she’ll have a doctor specially training to handle such situations. This will help better protect our state’s unborn and the health of their mothers.”

Garvin said that since 2012 around 100,000 abortions have been conducted in Oklahoma – a number she hopes will decrease significantly with this legislation.

Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, is the House author of the measure.

“House Bill 1904 protects the lives of both unborn babies and mothers by ensuring that when abortion does occur, it is absolutely medically necessary to save the life of mother and the physician performing this procedure is extremely well-qualified,” Roe said.

The Senate passed HB2441 that would prevent any abortion on an unborn baby with a detectable heartbeat.

Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is Senate principal author and the House principal author is Rep. Todd Russ, R-Cordell.

“This is simple and straightforward, but essential to Oklahoma’s efforts to protect the unborn,” Daniels said.  “The child’s heartbeat is proof of life.  This bill provides the legal authority necessary to protect and save that life.”

Under HB 2441, anyone guilty of violating this law would be guilty of homicide.  The bill provides an exception to save the life of the mother but that does not include psychological or emotional conditions.

House Bill 1102, by Daniels and Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, would include the performance of an abortion under Oklahoma’s statutes for “unprofessional conduct,” unless the abortion is necessary to prevent the death or physical impairment of the mother. Mental or emotional health is not included in this exception.  Those physicians performing abortions not exempted by this legislation would lose their licenses for at least one year but they would not  be charged with murder.

“This has been a hard-fought battle, and no one, single bill will end abortion in our state,” Daniels said. “But each of these measures represents one more step in our journey to defend the sanctity of life.”

Both HB 2441 and HB 1102 will next be sent to the governor.