Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday signed into law a bill banning abortion after cardiac activity is detected, which is usually at six weeks of pregnancy.
The measure, S.B. 1503 or the “Oklahoma Heartbeat Act,” comes into effect immediately. Exceptions apply in cases of a medical emergency, but do not apply for pregnancies due to incest or rape.
“I want Oklahoma to be the most pro-life state in the country because I represent all 4 million Oklahomans who overwhelmingly want to protect the unborn,” Stitt, a Republican, said on Twitter.
The Oklahoma Heartbeat Act was passed by the Republican-led Oklahoma legislature before its signing. The Oklahoma Supreme Court earlier in the day declined to block the law’s enforcement pending the outcome of litigation challenging it.
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