Big Red State Passes Texas-Style Bill – The “Heartbeat Act” Just Got Signed Down South In Oklahoma

It’s being called a “Texas-style” bill and it’s dubbed the “Oklahoma Heartbeat Act,” which was written up by GOP Senator Julie Daniels and state Rep. Todd Russ.

This piece of legislation didn’t have any difficulty passing, either: it went through easily by a 68-12 count.

It had previously passed through the State Senate 33-11 and is now on the way to the desk of Gov. Kevin Stitt, who’s expected to sign it immediately.

The wording of the bill is clear (via The Daily Wire):

The text of the legislation states that ‘an abortion may not be performed or induced on a pregnant woman unless a physician has determined, in accordance with this section, whether the woman’s unborn child has a detectable fetal heartbeat.’

According to the bill, a heartbeat is described as “cardiac activity or the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart within the gestational sac.”

Basically, this aligns with health experts who say a fetal heartbeat can be detected by around 6 weeks after gestation.

The law then says that a doctor can’t “knowingly perform or induce an abortion” once that heartbeat is detected (though there are exceptions for medical emergency).

It’s very much like the now-famous 6-week heartbeat bill signed in Texas, which was also supported by millions of pro-Life activists.

Both bills allow any private citizen to sue anyone who performs an abortion, or “aids and abets” in getting an abortion. The penalties are stiff, too:

It Could Lead To Damages Of Up To $10,000 For Each Abortion Performed, Plus Other “Compensatory Damages.”

While abortion supporters say this flies in the face of Roe v. Wade, those in the other camp will say it’s a moral victory — and one that everyone should celebrate.

And speaking of Roe vs. Wade, that long-time law could also be on the hot seat this year, which would undoubtedly cause even more polarization.