Senator Darrell Weaver’s Senate Bill 1046 would make it a felony for a first time offense of domestic violence against a pregnant woman. It has cleared Senate committee hurdles and can be considered by the full Senate.
Weaver said he couldn’t believe that Oklahoma didn’t already make a felony for violence against a pregnant woman.
“Homicide is the leading cause of death among pregnant women in the United States, and the majority of victims are killed in the first trimester,” Weaver said. “I had to go look at the Oklahoma statutes for myself when I was told a first conviction for attacking a pregnant woman was only a misdemeanor, but it’s true. My bill will change that.”
If SB 1046 becomes law in its current form, someone convicted of a first offense for domestic violence on a pregnant woman can serve up to five years in prison. The current punishment for a first time offense is up to a year in county jail.
“Oklahoma is a strong pro-life state, and I can’t think of anything more pro-life than strengthening our domestic violence laws on behalf of expectant mothers,” Weaver said.
