The governor will soon be considering a measure that could give terminally ill patients one last chance of survival by giving them control over their terminal treatment options. House Bill 1074, also known as the Right-to-Try Act, would allow such patients, who have received approval from their physician, access to investigational medications, biological products or devices that have completed Food and Drug Administration phase one safety testing and remain under an approved investigation. The bill, which was approved by the Senate earlier this week, is authored by Rep. read more.

The Oklahoma State Legislature approved a resolution on the last day of the 2015 session calling on Congress to adopt a block grant proposal that would allow states more oversight of public assistance programs. The proposal was introduced in a June 2014 report entitled “Expanding Opportunity in America” by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on the Budget.

Sen. Rob Standridge, primary author of Senate Concurrent Resolution 31, said the federal proposal would make the delivery of public assistance more efficient for agencies and recipients.
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Gov. Fallin recently held a ceremonial signing of House Bill 1074, also known as the Right-to-Try Act, by Rep. Richard Morrissette and Sen. Rob Standridge. The new law, which goes into effect November 1, 2015, will allow terminally-ill patients, who have received approval from their physician, access to investigational medications, biological products or devices that have completed Food and Drug Administration phase one safety testing and remain under an approved investigation.
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The chairman of the Senate’s Health and Human Services Committee has filed legislation to put the brakes on implementation of a capitated managed care system for Medicaid in Oklahoma. Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, said the Oklahoma Health Care Authority has requested proposals creating such a system. Senate Joint Resolution 56 would require OHCA to end that process, and would require legislative approval before the authority could move forward with a revised plan.

The full Senate has approved legislation allowing Oklahoma voters to decide whether to repeal Article II, Section 5 of the Oklahoma Constitution, known as the “Blaine Amendment,” forbidding the use of public monies or property for sectarian or religious purposes. It was cited by the majority of the Oklahoma Supreme Courting in a 2015 ruling that forced the removal of a Ten Commandments Monument from the grounds of the Capitol.

Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is the author of Senate Joint Resolution 72.
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Lawmakers heard testimony from members of the insurance industry, consumer advocacy organizations and citizens Tuesday as they examined an issue many Oklahomans may not be aware of—how insurance companies use credit scores and other financial information, including buying habits, to decide a policy holder’s car insurance rates.

State Sen. Rob Standridge applauded the State Board of Education’s decision Thursday to approve a proposed French immersion charter school in Norman. The concept for the charter school came about after the French immersion program at Reagan Elementary in Norman was cut. Parents of students who were thriving in the program worked tirelessly to continue the school’s mission through a charter school, the Le Monde Internal School. Standridge was among those supporting the application.
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State Sen. Rob Standridge said two of his requested interim studies on education would be held on Tuesday, September 11, at the state Capitol. The first study will meet from 9 a.m. to noon in room 535 and will look at the issue of bullying. The second will focus on innovations in education throughout Oklahoma and what policies may be needed to help encourage such programs.

Standridge said despite the adoption of previous statutes and policies, bullying remains an issue which continues to devastate the lives of countless Oklahoma children and their families.

State Sen. Rob Standridge has won Senate approval for a measure allowing third-party commercial driver license (CDL) testing. Standridge said 40 states already have some form of third-party CDL testing. He said if Senate Bill 378 becomes law, Oklahoma will be able to address a costly testing backlog in an industry that is an important part of the state’s economy.
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The full Senate has given unanimous approval to a bill giving former military police credit for their training and service toward required training with the Council of Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) certification required to become a member of law enforcement in Oklahoma. Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, is the principal author of Senate Bill 171.
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