Opinion ID: 3181538
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Is a general law applicable?

Text: ¶28 The second prong of the Reynolds inquiry is to determine if a general law is applicable. 1988 OK 88, ¶ 13, 760 P.2d at 822. More specifically, the question is whether the subject of the legislation is reasonably susceptible of general treatment or . . . there is a special situation possessing characteristics impossible of treatment by general law. Id. ¶ 15, 760 P.2d at 822. The subject of H.B. 2684 is Mifeprex, misoprostol, and methotrexate when used as abortion-inducing drugs. To determine if the subject is susceptible to general treatment, we examine the nature and objective of the legislation and the conditions and circumstances of its enactment. See id. ¶29 The Plaintiffs maintain a general law could better address the subject of the legislation, arguing that a law that encompasses all off-label uses of FDA-approved drugs is the more appropriate vehicle for general treatment. Therefore, H.B. 2684 would fail the second prong of the Reynolds inquiry. The State argues that a general law would not be feasible as it would regulate far beyond the scope of H.B. 2684--for instance, a general law regulating all uses of misoprostol would ban uses such as the induction of labor. We agree with the State. ¶30 Section 16 of H.B. 2684 lays out the statute's nature and purpose--to ban the off-label use of Mifeprex, misoprostol, and methotrexate when used as abortion-inducing drugs. The factual findings, specifically the deaths and hospitalizations caused by off-label use of Mifeprex and misoprostol and the dangers of methotrexate, establish the basis for their legislative restrictions by special law. Based on our construction of H.B. 2684, we agree that the Legislature specifically tailored a special law to address the use of Mifeprex, misoprostol, and methotrexate when prescribed with the intent of inducing abortions. To broaden the scope with a general law would force the Legislature to restrict off-label use of these and other drugs without a showing of harm from the off-label use. The regulation of the use of Mifeprex, misoprostol, and methotrexate when used as abortion-inducing drugs does not currently present characteristics for general treatment; we therefore agree with the State that a general law is not applicable under prong two of the Reynolds inquiry.