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OKLAHOMA CITY (LifeSiteNews) —Republicans in Oklahoma passed a bill on Wednesday that would prohibit all abortions in the state, except for those done for to save the life of the mother. It relies on private lawsuits to enforce the law, similar to Texas’ legislation. 

A physician may not knowingly perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman, unless such abortion is performed to save the life of the mother,” House Bill 4327 states.  

The law, which now moves to the full Oklahoma House for a vote, “shall be enforced exclusively through private civil actions.” 

The law allows for civil suits against anyone that “aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion, including paying for or reimbursing the costs of an abortion through insurance or otherwise.” 

It sets a minimum amount of damages at $10k and lawsuits can be brought for up to four years after the abortion. It prohibits rapists who impregnate a woman from suing under this law. A baby’s mother cannot be sued. 

“The pro-life citizens of Oklahoma should have the ability to help hold these doctors accountable,” state Rep. Sean Roberts said when he first introduced the legislation. “Individual citizens are an extremely important part of making sure that we are protecting the lives of the unborn.” 

The Texas Heartbeat Act reduced abortions by at least 60 percent in the first month. It continues to stand after the Supreme Court dismissed most of the challenges to it and remanded the case back to the state’s highest court. 

The Oklahoma bill could make Texas’ law more effective, because women could not travel there for abortions. 

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