[JURIST] The Oklahoma State Senate on Tuesday voted 36-12 to override Governor Brad Henry’s veto of two anti-abortion bills that will now immediately become law. The first bill would prevent “wrongful life” lawsuits in which parents seek damages for a child born with a birth defect because the mother was unable to obtain an abortion. The second bill would require doctors to conduct a vaginal ultrasound at least one hour prior to an abortion while displaying and explaining the images. The 48-member senate just met the minimum of three-quarters majority required to override an executive veto. The senate’s vote comes one day after the House of Representatives voted 84-12 to override the veto.
The Oklahoma Senate voted to approve five anti-abortion bills last week, sending three to Henry for his approval and returning two to the Oklahoma State House of Representatives. Pending House approval, two additional bills would require a woman to answer 38 questions, including why she is seeking an abortion, and prohibit state health plans from covering elective abortions. The Oklahoma laws join another restrictive abortion law passed recently in Nebraska, which bans abortions after 20 weeks.