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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Legislative Update

Stitt signs the ‘Step Therapy’ bill

Tulsa Beacon

A bill intended to protect patients from a harmful insurance practice known as ‘step therapy’ has been signed into law by Governor Kevin Stitt. Senate Bill 509, authored by Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, requires any health insurance plan that utilizes a step therapy protocol to establish guidelines governing the…

Stillborn children remains’ bill

Tulsa Beacon

The Oklahoma House approved legislation giving parents of stillborn children the opportunity to direct where their child’s remains are placed. Senate Bill 284, by Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Sean Roberts, R-Hominy, also requires medical facilities maintain a written policy for the disposition of the remains of a child from stillbirth or fetal…

Alive from OK is in tune with Alive from New York May 5th

Tulsa Beacon

NY abortion vote triggered an idea On May 4, Tulsa will take a part in a national effort to help men, women and families to preserve the sanctity of life. “Alive from OK” is a local version of “Alive from New York” – a program from Focus on the Family designed “to celebrate the sanctity…

Francine’s Law passed in the Senate

Tulsa Beacon

The full Senate approved a bill aimed at helping law enforcement and families find answers in missing and unidentified persons cases. House Bill 2640, Francine’s Law, was approved unanimously by the full Senate last week.  Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, is principal Senate author of Francine’s Law, which was co-authored by Sen. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City,…

Benefit corporations bill is passed

Tulsa Beacon

Legislation allowing Oklahoma companies to register as “benefit corporations” is now headed to the governor’s desk.  The designation would give greater legal protection for companies pursuing business models that are for profit, while placing a high priority on having a positive impact on society.  Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, is the Senate principal author of…

Aid for hearing impaired drivers

Tulsa Beacon

The full Senate has unanimously approved legislation to help prevent the escalation of traffic stops in cases where the driver has hearing impairments, autism or other communication disorders.  Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore and Rep. Tammy West, R-Bethany, are the principal authors of House Bill 2516.  Weaver said the legislation would allow individuals the option of…

Step Therapy Reform bill advances

Tulsa Beacon

OKLAHOMA CITY – [March 13, 2019]– Oklahomans for Step Therapy Reform said SB509, authored by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, passed the Senate with a vote of 43-0, and its companion HB2638, authored by Reps. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, and Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, passed the House with a vote of 94-0. The bills will allow…

GOP leaders punish Senator Silk for SB13

Tulsa Beacon

State Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, said he is being blacklisted by Republican leaders because he authored a bill to abolish abortion in Oklahoma. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, removed Silk from a committee vice chairmanship because Silk promoted Senate Bill 13, which would have made abortion illegal in the state. That…

Bill aids state’s disabled veterans

Tulsa Beacon

The Oklahoma House passed legislation helping community members volunteer as a guardian for veterans who have no available family. Senate Bill 931, by Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, establishes the Veterans Volunteer Guardianship Act to provide a platform to recruit local volunteers to serve veterans who can no longer manage…

Proposal targets paternity fraud

Tulsa Beacon

A bill that would extend the time for men to prove paternity fraud passed the Senate Judiciary Committee. House Bill 2270, by Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, and Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Addington, would extend until a child’s 18th birthday the right of a judge to determine paternity fraud, freeing men from paying child support for children…