The bill amends the Choosing Childbirth Act by allowing out-of-state organizations to receive grants for services aimed at assisting women in carrying their pregnancies to term. Specifically, it modifies Section 1-740.17 of the Oklahoma Statutes to remove the requirement that organizations must be located within the state to qualify for grants. The grants are intended to reimburse private organizations for reasonable expenses related to various supportive services, including medical care, mental health support, nutritional assistance, and education for pregnant women. Additionally, the bill emphasizes that no funds can be allocated to organizations that provide or refer for abortion services.
To be eligible for these grants, organizations must be registered as not-for-profit corporations and must ensure that the funds are used solely to support women in carrying their pregnancies to term and to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates. The bill also mandates that organizations provide accurate information about fetal development to pregnant women and prohibits the use of funds for promoting or facilitating abortions, except in life-threatening situations. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.