Oklahoma Lawmaker Files Bill That Will Reinstate Antiabortion Laws If Roe Is Overturned

Oklahoma state Rep. Mike Reynolds (R) on Wednesday filed a bill (HB 1014) that would reinstate the state's antiabortion laws if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade -- the 1973 Supreme Court decision that effectively barred state abortion bans -- the Tulsa World reports. Reynolds said the new composition of justices on the Supreme Court increases the chances that Roe will be reconsidered. "This legislation will ensure the state of Oklahoma acts immediately to save the lives of the unborn if we are given the choice," he added. Linda Meek, executive administrator of Reproductive Services of Tulsa, on Wednesday said that the organization will provide services for women seeking abortions as long as the procedure is legal, adding, "If Roe v. Wade is overturned, we will deal with it at that time." According to Meek, if Roe is overturned and a bill such as the measure introduced by Reynolds is passed, women most likely would go out of state for abortions or resort to "back-alley abortions" (Hinton, Tulsa World, 1/4).

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