Abortion Laws: Women Must Seek Father's Permission Under Oklahoma Bill

An anti-abortion bill in Oklahoma that would require women to get the written consent from the fetus’ father before undergoing the procedure was expected to be heard in the state legislature next week.

The legislation, which was introduced to the Public Health Committee Wednesday, stated that “no abortion shall be performed in this state without the written informed consent of the father of the fetus.”

A pregnant woman wishing to have an abortion will be required to provide, in writing, the identity of the father to the physician in charge of performing an abortion. If the man identified denied he was the father, he would have the right to demand a paternity test. The only exceptions were if the father was dead and the women provided a notarized affidavit confirming he was deceased, or if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest.

The bill, authored by Republican Rep. Justin Humphrey, was introduced on the same day as people descended on the state Capitol to participate in Rose Day, an annual event in which anti-abortion activists distribute roses to legislators.

Planned Parenthood of Great Plains, Oklahoma, called the bill unconstitutional and “extreme.”

“Women have the right to a safe abortion,” Tamya Cox, Regional Director of Public Policy and Organizing told local NBC station KFOR. “Women have a right to bodily autonomy.

“It does not take into consideration that women may be in an abusive relationship and cannot seek permission from a partner because she could be in danger. That’s why Oklahoma should trust women to make the choices that are best for them,” she added.

Oklahoma, where there were just four clinics offering abortion services, already has some of the most restrictive abortion legislation of any state in the country. Last year, the Republican-controlled state legislature passed a bill that would criminalize all abortion procedures in the state – except in instances to save the life of the mother. It was later vetoed by Gov. Mary Fallin.

Another anti-abortion bill was also on the agenda on the same day as the latest legislation was introduced. However, in a surprising turn, HB 1549, which would prohibit abortions due to a diagnosis of Down syndrome or genetic abnormality, resulted in a tied vote when three Republicans joined the sole Democrat on the house committee in voting against it. Both bills were expected to be back on the agenda next week.