REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
A provision of a new Oklahoma law requires all public schools, health-care centers, and restaurants to post pro-life information inside their bathrooms. The regulation is part of a new law requiring Oklahoma to promote the information “for the purpose of achieving an abortion-free society.” Oklahoma nursing homes, hospitals, schools, and restaurants are required to post the signs by January 2018. The state did not budget any money for the program, forcing schools and businesses to pay out of pocket for the new signs. The project will cost an estimated $2.3 million for affected businesses, the Associated Press reports.
“There are many public and private agencies willing and able to help you carry your child to term and assist you and your child after your child is born, whether you choose to keep your child or to place him or her for adoption,” the law requires the signs to read. “The State of Oklahoma strongly urges you to contact them if you are pregnant.”
The law, backed by the anti-abortion group Oklahomans for Life, has been met with resistance from women’s health groups and business owners, who oppose it on the grounds that it could make abortions less accessible and impose an unnecessary cost burden. The state’s board of health is set to discuss the specifics of the law Tuesday. Sponsor Sen. A.J. Griffin told the Associated Press that the law may be revised to make it more specific to certain facilities.