Oklahoma Lawmakers Pass Nation’s Toughest Abortion-Ban Measure

Oklahoma’s state legislature on Thursday approved a near-total abortion ban, building on past laws that include a Texas-style prohibition after about six weeks of pregnancy and a so-called trigger ban that would take effect should Roe v. Wade be overturned.

If the latest measure is signed by Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, as expected, Oklahoma will have the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation.

The bill, offered by Republican lawmakers, would take effect immediately. Not only would it ban nearly all abortions at conception — there are exceptions in cases of rape and incest and to save the mother’s life — it bypasses a court challenge by allowing civilians to press charges against those whom they believe ...