ABSTRACT
In April of 2010, the state of Oklahoma passed two abortion regulations that opponents contend unconstitutionally burden a woman’s right to choose to have an abortion. The first law requires women seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound and listen to a detailed description of the fetus before they can obtain an abortion. The doctor must set up the monitor so that the woman can view the screen, and then describe the heart, limbs and organs of the fetus as seen. The law does not grant an exception for rape and incest victims. The second law prohibits women from suing a doctor postbirth who withheld information, or even provided incorrect information about birth defects or other fetal anomalies while the child was in the womb. Both laws were vetoed by the governor, but the Oklahoma state legislature voted to override both vetoes. In July of 2010, an Oklahoma judge granted an injunction blocking enforcement of the ultrasound law, a court challenge is still pending as of March, 2011.
