Skip to content
Center for Reproductive Rights
Center for Reproductive Rights

Primary Menu

  • About
    • Overview
    • The Center’s Impact
    • Center Leadership & Staff
    • Annual Reports
    • Corporate Engagement
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Work
    • Overview
    • Litigation
    • Legal Policy and Advocacy
    • Resources & Research
    • Recent Case Highlights
    • Landmark Cases
    • Cases Archive
    • World’s Abortion Laws Map
    • After Roe Fell: Abortion Laws by State
  • Issues
    • Overview
    • Abortion
    • Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
    • Assisted Reproduction
    • Contraception
    • Humanitarian Settings
    • Maternal Health
    • COVID-19
  • Regions
    • Overview
    • Global Advocacy
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Latin America and the Caribbean
    • United States
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Stories
    • Events
    • Center in the Spotlight
    • Press Releases
    • Statements
    • Press Room
    • Newsletters
  • Resources
    • Resources & Research
    • U.S. Abortion Rights: Resources
    • Maps
    • World Abortion Laws Map
    • After Roe Fell: Abortion Laws by State
    • Repro Red Flags: Agency Watch
  • Act
    • Overview
    • Give
    • Act
    • Learn
  • Donate
    • Become a Monthly Donor
    • Make a Donor Advised Fund Gift
    • Leave a Legacy Gift
    • Donate Gifts of Stock
    • Give a Gift in Honor
    • Attend an Event
    • Employee Matching Gifts
    • Mail a Check
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
Donate
icon-hamburger icon-magnifying-glass Donate
icon-magnifying-glass-teal

Center and Partners File Challenge to Oklahoma’s Total Ban on Abortion

Center for Reproductive Rights - Center for Reproductive Rights - search logo
search Close Close icon
Center for Reproductive Rights -
Menu Close Menu Close icon
Donate

Primary Menu

  • About
    • Overview
    • The Center’s Impact
    • Center Leadership & Staff
    • Annual Reports
    • Corporate Engagement
    • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Work
    • Overview
    • Litigation
    • Legal Policy and Advocacy
    • Resources & Research
    • Recent Case Highlights
    • Landmark Cases
    • Cases Archive
    • World’s Abortion Laws Map
    • After Roe Fell: Abortion Laws by State
  • Issues
    • Overview
    • Abortion
    • Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
    • Assisted Reproduction
    • Contraception
    • Humanitarian Settings
    • Maternal Health
    • COVID-19
  • Regions
    • Overview
    • Global Advocacy
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Europe
    • Latin America and the Caribbean
    • United States
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Stories
    • Events
    • Center in the Spotlight
    • Press Releases
    • Statements
    • Press Room
    • Newsletters
  • Resources
    • Resources & Research
    • U.S. Abortion Rights: Resources
    • Maps
    • World Abortion Laws Map
    • After Roe Fell: Abortion Laws by State
    • Repro Red Flags: Agency Watch
  • Act
    • Overview
    • Give
    • Act
    • Learn
  • Donate
    • Become a Monthly Donor
    • Make a Donor Advised Fund Gift
    • Leave a Legacy Gift
    • Donate Gifts of Stock
    • Give a Gift in Honor
    • Attend an Event
    • Employee Matching Gifts
    • Mail a Check
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn

Related Content

Issues:

Abortion

Regions:

United States

Work:

In the Courts

Type:

News, Story

Case Archive

For updates on Center cases, explore our case archive here.

Follow the Center

Donate Now

Join Now

05.26.2022

In the Courts Abortion United States News

Center and Partners File Challenge to Oklahoma’s Total Ban on Abortion

Stephanie Harmon
A coalition of Oklahoma abortion providers and a reproductive justice organization challenge the country’s first state-level total ban on abortion.

Share

  • facebook
  • Twitter
  • linkedin
  • Email id
©Natalia Bratslavsky/Fotolia/Adobe Stock

On May 25, Oklahoma enacted the country’s most restrictive abortion ban in effect: a Texas-style total ban on abortion designed to be enforced by private citizens. The bill, H.B. 4327, took effect immediately upon Governor Kevin Sitt’s signature, making Oklahoma the first state to ban abortion entirely while Roe v. Wade stands. 

Defending the right to abortion at the U.S. Supreme Court

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health OrganizationDobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization link

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

The Court is expected to issue its ruling in this consequential abortion rights case by the end of its term in June 2022.

“We are seeing the beginning of a domino effect that will spread across the entire South and Midwest if Roe falls,” said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights. “Banning abortion after six weeks was not extreme enough for Oklahoma lawmakers. The goal of the anti-abortion movement is to ensure no one can access abortion at any point for any reason. Right now, patients in Oklahoma are being thrown into a state of chaos and fear. That chaos will only intensify as surrounding states cut off access as well. We will not stop fighting for the people of Oklahoma and for everyone across the country.”   

The enactment of H.B. 4327 comes just over two weeks after Oklahoma’s six-week vigilante ban, S.B. 1503, took effect, eliminating almost all abortion access after approximately six weeks of pregnancy. Like the newest ban, S.B. 1503 is modeled on the Texas ban that incentivizes private individuals to bring costly and harassing lawsuits against abortion providers, health center works, or others who help someone access abortion care in violation of the law. Those who successfully sue would be awarded at least $10,000. 

Today, the Center and its partners—Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Blake Patton of Walding & Patton—filed a challenge in Oklahoma state court to block the total ban from taking effect on behalf of plaintiffs: Oklahoma Call for Reproductive Justice, Dr. Alan Braid, Tulsa Women’s Reproductive Clinic, Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, and Planned Parenthood of Arkansas & Eastern Oklahoma. Read the court filing here.

Oklahoma’s Total Ban Will Have Profoundly Harmful Impacts 

The impact of this ban will be immediate and profoundly harmful. People seeking abortion will be forced to travel hundreds of miles outside the state, increasing financial and other burdens to accessing care. Those who are unable to access care out of state due to limited financial resources, paid time off work, or access to transportation and other barriers may attempt to self-manage an abortion without support from a health care provider or be faced with forced pregnancy, which is a violation of their human rights.  

Research shows that women who are denied wanted abortion care experience long-lasting harm that impacts their financial security and physical and mental health. Women unable to access care experience an increase in household poverty lasting at least four years and struggle to cover basic expenses like food, housing, and transportation for years to come. They are more likely to stay in contact with a violent partner and experience long-term health problems. 

The impact of Oklahoma’s ban will also exacerbate the harm caused by Texas’s ban. Prior to this ban, Oklahoma was a key point of access for people travelling from Texas to access abortion care. Patients from Texas and Oklahoma will now be forced to travel even further to access this essential health care. 

The people who will be harmed most by this ban are those who already face discriminatory obstacles to accessing health care, particularly Black, Indigenous, and people of color, women, those living on low incomes, young people, members of the LGBTQI+ community, immigrants, and those living in rural areas. 

Oklahoma Already Severely Restricts Abortion 

According to the Center’s analysis in What if Roe Fell? Oklahoma is one of 25 states likely to ban abortion outright through criminal penalties if the U.S. Supreme Court weakens or overturns Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 case affirming the right to abortion in the U.S.  

In addition to S.B. 1503, Oklahoma has another total ban (without a private right of action) and a Pre-Roe ban still on the books. Oklahoma also has a trigger ban intended to prohibit abortion in almost all situations if Roe is overturned “in whole or in part.” Numerous medically unnecessary restrictions already make access extremely onerous. 

Since 2010, the Center has litigated 13 cases in Oklahoma, eight of which have been successfully litigated to conclusion. Despite the state’s body of restrictive laws, the Oklahoma State Constitution is broad, and Oklahoma state courts have largely declined to sanction the legislature’s attempts to restrict abortion. 

U.S. Supreme Court Will Soon Decide Case Challenging Roe v. Wade 

The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating in the Center’s case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, challenging Mississippi’s 15-week ban on abortion. In addition to asking the Court to uphold its ban, Mississippi has asked the Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and rule that there is no right to abortion in the U.S. Constitution. 

On May 2, Politico published a leaked draft opinion that would overrule Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Chief Justice John Roberts later confirmed that the draft was authentic, but that it is not the final position of any Justice, nor a final opinion of the Court. The final opinion is expected before the end of the Court’s term at the end of June. 

A ruling overturning Roe v. Wade would mark the first time in history that the U.S. Supreme Court has taken away a personal liberty right, a decision that would harm millions in the U.S. and have rippling impacts around the world. 

Read more: 

  • H.B. 4327, Oklahoma’s Texas-style total abortion ban, and the lawsuit filed directly in the Oklahoma Supreme Court
  • Oklahoma Becomes First State to Entirely Ban Abortion, 05.25.2022
  • Oklahoma’s Vigilante Abortion Ban Takes Effect, Further Devastating Access in the Region, 05.04.2022 
  • Center and Partners Sue Oklahoma Over Abortion Bans That Would Further Devastate Access in the Region, 04.28.2022 
  • What if Roe Fell? 
  • S.B. 612, Oklahoma’s total abortion ban, and the lawsuit filed in Oklahoma County District Court 
  • S.B. 1503, Oklahoma’s Texas-style vigilante abortion ban, and the lawsuit filed directly in the Oklahoma Supreme Court 

Related Posts

Azar v. Garza Amicus Brief

Abortion,United States,In the Courts

Complaint: Falls Church Healthcare Center et al. v. Norman Oliver et al.

Abortion,United States,In the Courts

Amicus Brief: State of California et al. v. Alex M. Azar et al.

Other Barriers, Contraception,United States,In the Courts

Sign up for email updates.

The most up-to-date news on reproductive rights, delivered straight to you.

Footer Menu

  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Gift Acceptance Policy
  • Contact Us

Center for Reproductive Rights
© (1992-2024)

Use of this site signifies agreement with our disclaimer and privacy policy.

Better Business Bureau Charity Watch Top Rated Center for Reproductive Rights
This site uses necessary, analytics and social media cookies to improve your experience and deliver targeted advertising. Click "Options" or click here to learn more and customize your cookie settings, otherwise please click "Accept" to proceed.
OPTIONSACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
CookieDurationDescription
_ga2 yearsThis cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to calculate visitor, session, campaign data and keep track of site usage for the site's analytics report. The cookies store information anonymously and assign a randomly generated number to identify unique visitors.
_gat_UA-6619340-11 minuteNo description
_gid1 dayThis cookie is installed by Google Analytics. The cookie is used to store information of how visitors use a website and helps in creating an analytics report of how the wbsite is doing. The data collected including the number visitors, the source where they have come from, and the pages viisted in an anonymous form.
_parsely_session30 minutesThis cookie is used to track the behavior of a user within the current session.
HotJar: _hjAbsoluteSessionInProgress30 minutesNo description
HotJar: _hjFirstSeen30 minutesNo description
HotJar: _hjid1 yearThis cookie is set by Hotjar. This cookie is set when the customer first lands on a page with the Hotjar script. It is used to persist the random user ID, unique to that site on the browser. This ensures that behavior in subsequent visits to the same site will be attributed to the same user ID.
HotJar: _hjIncludedInPageviewSample2 minutesNo description
HotJar: _hjIncludedInSessionSample2 minutesNo description
HotJar: _hjTLDTestsessionNo description
SSCVER1 year 24 daysThe domain of this cookie is owned by Nielsen. The cookie is used for online advertising by creating user profile based on their preferences.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
CookieDurationDescription
_fbp3 monthsThis cookie is set by Facebook to deliver advertisement when they are on Facebook or a digital platform powered by Facebook advertising after visiting this website.
fr3 monthsThe cookie is set by Facebook to show relevant advertisments to the users and measure and improve the advertisements. The cookie also tracks the behavior of the user across the web on sites that have Facebook pixel or Facebook social plugin.
IDE1 year 24 daysUsed by Google DoubleClick and stores information about how the user uses the website and any other advertisement before visiting the website. This is used to present users with ads that are relevant to them according to the user profile.
IMRID1 year 24 daysThe domain of this cookie is owned by Nielsen. The cookie is used for storing the start and end of the user session for nielsen statistics. It helps in consumer profiling for online advertising.
personalization_id2 yearsThis cookie is set by twitter.com. It is used integrate the sharing features of this social media. It also stores information about how the user uses the website for tracking and targeting.
TDID1 yearThe cookie is set by CloudFare service to store a unique ID to identify a returning users device which then is used for targeted advertising.
test_cookie15 minutesThis cookie is set by doubleclick.net. The purpose of the cookie is to determine if the user's browser supports cookies.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
CookieDurationDescription
adEdition1 dayNo description
akaas_MSNBC10 daysNo description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional1 yearThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others1 yearNo description
geoEdition1 dayNo description
next-i18next1 yearNo description
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo
Scroll Up