§ 63-1-729.3. Civil actions - Damages and injunctive relief - Civil contempt.  


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  • A.  Any person who knowingly or recklessly violates a provision of this act shall be liable for damages as provided in this section and may be enjoined from such acts in accordance with this section in an appropriate court.

    B.  Any female upon whom an abortion has been performed or induced, the father of the unborn child who was the subject of the abortion if the father was married to the woman who received the abortion at the time the abortion was performed or induced, or a maternal grandparent of the unborn child may maintain an action against the person who performed or induced the abortion in knowing or reckless violation of this act for actual and punitive damages.  Any female upon whom an abortion has been attempted to be performed or induced in knowing or reckless violation of this act may maintain an action against the person who attempted to perform or induce the abortion for actual and punitive damages.

    C.  If a judgment is rendered in favor of the plaintiff in any action described in this section, the court shall also render judgment for a reasonable attorney fee in favor of the plaintiff against the defendant.  If a judgment is rendered in favor of the defendant and the court finds that the plaintiff’s suit was frivolous and brought in bad faith, the court shall also render judgment for a reasonable attorney fee in favor of the defendant against the plaintiff.

    D.  A cause of action for injunctive relief against any person who has knowingly or recklessly violated this act may be maintained by:

    1.  The female upon whom an abortion was performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced in violation of this act;

    2.  Any person who is the spouse, parent, sibling or guardian of, or a current or former licensed health care provider of, the female upon whom an abortion has been performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced in violation of this act;

    3.  A district attorney with appropriate jurisdiction; or

    4.  The Attorney General.

    The injunction shall prevent the abortion provider from performing or inducing further abortions in violation of this act in the State of Oklahoma.

    E.  Any person who knowingly or recklessly violates the terms of an injunction issued in accordance with this act shall be subject to civil contempt, and shall be fined Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for the first violation, Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) for the second violation, One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) for the third violation and for each succeeding violation an amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) sufficient to deter future violations.  The fines shall be the exclusive penalties for such contempt.  Each performance or induction or attempted performance or induction of an abortion in violation of the terms of an injunction is a separate violation.  These fines shall be cumulative.  However, no fine may be assessed against the woman on whom an abortion was performed or induced or was attempted to be performed or induced.

    F.  A physician who performed or induced an abortion or attempted to perform or induce an abortion in violation of this act shall be considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct for which his or her license to practice medicine in the State of Oklahoma may be suspended or revoked by the State Medical Board of Licensure and Supervision or the State Board of Osteophathic Examiners.

Added by Laws 2012, c. 170, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2012.