OKLAHOMA: Legislation banning abortion procedure beyond six weeks of pregnancy was approved by the Oklahoma legislature and hailed by the state's Catholic bishops.

Abortion Procedure

Pregnancy terminations and abortion procedure are prohibited once heart activity can be found in the fetus under the "Oklahoma Heartbeat Act," which is currently before Congress. 

Exceptions are made for when the mother's life is in danger, but not for rape or incest. After a fetal heartbeat is detected, individuals can sue anyone who has performed or planned to perform an abortion procedure or assisted a woman in getting an abortion procedure. 

At the very least, successful claimants might receive $10,000 in damages. It now heads to Republican Governor Kevin Stitt for his signature, which is expected shortly after that. Once it is signed, the emergency clause will take effect.

State Senate passed a similar but more comprehensive law that would prohibit abortions at all stages of pregnancy with an exception for rape and incest as well as medical crises on the same day. 

Until then, it will be returned to the House of Representatives for consideration.