Abortions would be banned after a fetus' heartbeat becomes audible, according to a bill filed in the Oklahoma Senate.

If adopted, the measure limits the time a woman could get an abortion by about three and a half months. A heartbeat can be heard sometime around the sixth week of pregnancy.

The bill's author said Oklahoma's abortion laws are based on old technology and science.

“I don't believe in abortions but since we can't go against the federal government, we must do all we can within our constitutional rights,” said state Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan. “As a state, we can provide a clear, scientific definition that life begins with the first heartbeat.”