The measure, which has an exemption to save the life of the mother, passed by a vote of 33-12 with no debate.

The courts have tossed out a number of bills passed by Oklahoma lawmakers and signed by Fallin that put additional regulations on abortion.

Dahm said he believes life begins at conception and the measure is an effort to protect life.

“I believe that is a core function of state government to defend that life from the beginning of conception,” Dahm said.

The Senate’s only physician, Sen. Ervin Yen, R-Oklahoma City, called the measure “insane” and said he was certain it would be successfully challenged in court.

The Senate’s action spread quickly as news agencies in the U.S. and abroad reported about the bill’s passage, and it brought a storm of reaction on social media.

Dahm said the measure likely will be challenged but said a group has offered to defend it at no cost to the state. Legal costs were a concern with the state facing a $1.3 billion hole for the coming fiscal year, he said.

Dahm said it is possible that if a suit is filed, it could go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, the court decision legalizing abortion.