Bill Protecting Birth Control Access Moves to Gov.
The Oklahoma House of Representatives unanimously passed a measure protecting women’s freedom to access birth control on Thursday, sending the bill to the governor's desk. Senate Bill 368 was presented on the House floor by House author Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin. The bill includes protections for contraceptive drugs, surgeries such as tubal ligation, and other treatments provided by authorized healthcare providers. “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 Hasenbeck. “This is about protecting the rights and freedoms of our constituents.” SB368 protects contraception and does not legalize or provide protections for medication abortions. The bill, which was coauthored by a bipartisan group of 12 legislators, was filed in the Senate by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan. “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.” SB368 passed 90-0 in the House on April 27. Having previously passed the Senate 40-7, it is now available for consideration by the governor.