OKLAHOMA CITY – A measure to allow teachers and other school employees who are nursing the same rights as state and federal employees was passed unanimously Tuesday by the Senate Education Committee. Sen. Carri Hicks, D-OKC, is the author of Senate Bill 121 requiring school district boards of education to adopt a policy allowing school employees who are lactating to take paid break time to maintain their milk supply.

The full Senate has passed legislation that would provide immediate patient care via telemedicine and reduce costly mental health transports for patients when a law enforcement officer is involved. Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, authored the measure.

The full Senate unanimously approved a measure on Monday that would allow personal care aides to perform a wider scope of in-home healthcare services under the supervision of a registered nurse.

The Senate Public Safety Committee has given approval to Senate Bill 560, which would provide criminal and civil protections for drivers who feel threatened by riots or crowds of people circling a vehicle.

The State Senate Public Safety committee approved Senate Bill 312 on Monday, which would create harsher penalties for identity theft of a victim less than 18 years old.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has approved two bills aimed at better assisting victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.  Sen. Kay Floyd is the principal author of Senate Bill 16, a request from the state’s Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) task force, and Senate Bill 17, dealing with Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) used by law enforcement investigating domestic violence crimes.  Both measures were approved unanimously on Monday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill to protect the leave of state employees following an emergency declaration was approved by the General Government Committee Thursday.  Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, is the author of Senate Bill 282, and said the change is necessary in order to not punish full time state employees required to work overtime and unable to take off during state emergencies.