Governor vetoes bill criminalizing abortion

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma Republican Gov. Mary Fallin has vetoed legislation that would have effectively outlawed abortion in the state by making it a felony for doctors to perform the procedure.

Fallin opposes abortion but said the measure was vague and would not withstand a legal challenge.

The bill’s sponsor, Republican Sen. Nathan Dahm, said Friday that he was considering whether to try to override the governor’s veto.

The bill would have made it a felony punishable by up to three years in prison for anyone who performs an abortion, including doctors. The bill also would restrict any physician who performs an abortion from obtaining or renewing a license to practice medicine in Oklahoma.

Abortion-rights group Center for Reproductive Rights had said the measure was the first of its kind in the U.S.