Tag: Legislation

Stillborn children remains’ bill

April 25, 2019

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…

$1,200 teacher raise advances

April 18, 2019

In a bipartisan, unanimous vote, the Senate Appropriations Committee last week advanced a House teacher pay raise bill . House Bill 1780 by Speaker Charles McCall would implement a $1,200 teacher pay raise bill at a cost of $70 million annually. President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, is the Senate author of the bill….

Francine’s Law passed in the Senate

April 18, 2019

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

April 18, 2019

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

April 18, 2019

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

April 18, 2019

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

April 11, 2019

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…

Proposal targets paternity fraud

April 11, 2019

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…

Lankford’s bill to stop dismemberment

April 11, 2019

Senators James Lankford, R-Oklahoma, and Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, introduced the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2019. This bill would prohibit physicians from performing dismemberment abortions. It would impose a criminal fine, up to two years in prison, or both for individuals who perform this type of abortion. “Oklahomans and our nation are divided on…

Editorial: ‘Equality Act’ is very dangerous

April 11, 2019

When Dr. James Dobson talks, most Christians listen. Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and the James Dobson Family Institute, issued a warning about the proposed “Equality Act.” “Make no mistake – the so-called Equality Act is nothing but a thinly veiled attempt to finish off religious liberty in America once and for all,…