Oklahoma Superior Court strikes down 2 abortion bans

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that two state laws banning abortion are unconstitutional, but the procedure remains illegal in the state in most cases.

In a 6-3 ruling, the high court said the two bans are unconstitutional because they require a “medical emergency” before a doctor can perform an abortion. The court said that this language conflicts with a previous judgment issued in March. That ruling found that the Oklahoma Constitution provides an “inherent right of a pregnant woman to terminate a pregnancy when necessary to preserve her life.”

The laws struck down Wednesday included a civil enforcement mechanism that allowed citizens to sue someone who performed or helped someone perform an abortion.

“Despite today’s court decisions on SB 1603 and HB 4327, the 1910 Oklahoma law prohibiting abortion remains in effect,” Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement. “Except for certain circumstances outlined in that statute, abortion remains illegal in the state of Oklahoma.”