Oklahoma bill protecting birth control access heads to Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — The Oklahoma House of Representatives unanimously passed a measure protecting women’s freedom to access birth control last week, sending the bill to Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk.

Senate Bill 368 includes protections for contraceptive drugs, surgeries such as tubal ligation, and other treatments provided by authorized healthcare providers.

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“The passage of this measure sends a strong signal that the Oklahoma Legislature believes that Oklahomans can plan when to start a family and when to grow the size of their family,” said Rep. Toni Hasenbeck. “This is about protecting the rights and freedoms of our constituents.”

SB368 does not legalize or provide protections for medication abortions.

The bill, which was co-authored by a bipartisan group of 12 legislators, was filed in the Senate by Sen. Jessica Garvin.

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“Preserving access to contraception will help our families, our economy and our quality of life,” said Garvin. “I am proud of my colleagues for rallying around a measure that is very important to our Oklahoma families.”

SB 368 passed 90-0 in the House on April 27. It previously passed the Senate 40-7.

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