A new Oklahoma law creates felony penalties for trafficking abortion-inducing drugs.
House Bill 1168, authored by Oklahoma Representative Denise Crosswhite Hader and Oklahoma Senator David Bullard, makes it a felony to knowingly possess or distribute abortion-inducing drugs to someone seeking an unlawful abortion.
The law applies to drugs including mifepristone, misoprostol and methotrexate.
Crosswhite Hader said the legislation is intended to target the illegal distribution of abortion pills in Oklahoma.
“What has happened since abortion became illegal in our state is that people are trafficking abortion-inducing drugs to women who are already in a vulnerable state,” Crosswhite Hader said.
Under the law, a person convicted of trafficking or attempting to traffic abortion-inducing drugs could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, or both.
The legislation does not apply to women obtaining the drugs for themselves. It also does not apply to pharmacists, drug manufacturers or distributors legally handling the drugs for lawful medical purposes.
The measure also states it does not prohibit contraceptives, IVF treatments, or medications prescribed for other medical conditions, including treatment for ectopic pregnancies or miscarriages.
Governor Kevin Stitt signed the bill into law May 5.
