Senate Gives Final Passage to Bill Creating Crime of Abortion Pill Trafficking

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, has advanced to the governor’s desk legislation that would outlaw the distribution of abortion pills.

Today, in a vote of 37 to 10, the Senate passed House Bill 1168 to make it a felony crime to traffic abortion pills.

The measure creates a felony offense for anyone to knowingly possess or deliver abortion-inducing drugs — including mifepristone, misoprostol and methotrexate — to someone who intends to use them for an abortion.

Bullard cited a study that said 4,130 abortion pills were trafficked into Oklahoma last year. Millions of pills have been trafficked nationwide, he said.

“House Bill 1168 is the most important legislation we’ve passed all session,” Bullard said. “The abortion pill doesn’t just kill a baby. It doesn’t just decimate a mother through serious physical and mental health problems and never-ending regrets. The abortion pill wipes out generations of unborn lives. I’m proud the Senate took this significant step today to protect innocent babies, and I look forward to the governor signing this bill.”

Bullard added that 14 states have similar laws on the books.

Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont, is the primary House author of HB 1168.

"This bill will save lives, not just unborn children, but mothers who have at times been coerced or deceived into taking these dangerous abortion-inducing drugs with no medical oversight or care,” she said. “I've worked for several years to get this bill to this stage, and I'm glad to see it finally on its way to the governor. I'm thankful for Senator Bullard's passion on this matter and his tenacity to see this through. I'm thankful, as well, for all my House and Senate colleagues who see the importance of this measure. I pray the governor will swiftly sign this into law."

Anyone who violates HB 1168 and is convicted of trafficking or attempting to traffic abortion pills could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000.

This measure does not limit or prohibit the sale of contraceptives, and it would not impact couples undergoing IVF treatment. Nor does the legislation affect women experiencing miscarriages and those who may be legally prescribed pharmaceutical drugs as part of that process.

Additionally, HB 1168 does not apply to pharmacists, drug manufacturers or distributors who legally possess, sell or distribute pharmaceuticals intended for lawful medical purposes.