GOP governors sign abortion restriction bills in Oklahoma and Montana

Both governors signed three bills into law restricting abortion access in their respective states.

Published: April 27, 2021 9:14am

Updated: April 27, 2021 4:10pm

Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, of Oklahoma, and Greg Gianforte, of Montana, have each signed three bills restricting abortions in their respective states.

Stitt announced his signing of the three bills Tuesday on Twitter. The bills will go into effect on November 1.

"I'm keeping my promise to sign all pro-life legislation," Stitt tweeted. "We now have three more laws protecting the lives of the unborn!"

One measure, HB 2441, stipulates no doctor may carry out an abortion without first checking to see whether the unborn child has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, no abortion can take place. If a doctor does then perform an abortion, they "shall be guilty of homicide," according to The Epoch Times.

HB 1904 requires doctors to be board certified by Oklahoma in obstetrics and gynecology and have a license to practice in the state.

HB 1102 would allow for the doctors who perform an abortion in violation of the new laws to have their licenses revoked and suspended for at least a year.

The Montana Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act would restrict abortions if the unborn child is capable of feeling pain, which usually occurs at about 20 weeks into the pregnancy. Doing so would be a felony charge, according to Montana's Abortion Control Act. An abortion can still be carried out if it is to save the mother's life.

Gianforte of Montana also signed three laws restricting abortions in his state at the same time as Stitt.

"Life is precious and ought to be protected," Gianforte said Monday in signing the measures. "Today, I proudly signed into law bills to protect the life of our most vulnerable, the unborn. It’s a promising day, a day that will go down in our state’s history as we defend life."

HB 140 would require doctors to notify their patients of the opportunity to see an ultrasound of the baby prior to going through with the abortion. HB 171 would require physicians to administer chemical abortion drugs to patients personally rather than through a tele-health system.