The Senate gave unanimous approval to legislation Wednesday that would help better prepare students for jobs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Senate Bill 1181, by Sen. Ron Sharp, seeks to put into effect some of the recommendations made by the governor’s Science and Technology Council, a group focused on enhancing workforce development through the strengthening of STEM education programs at K-12 and college levels.

On Tuesday, the Senate approved legislation that would help more businesses qualify for the Small Employer Quality Jobs Incentive Act. Senate Bill 1329, by Sen. Ron Sharp, would remove population limits which currently make the incentive inaccessible to small businesses in Oklahoma’s larger populated areas.

In an effort to address growing discipline problems in public schools, Sen. Ron Sharp has filed legislation offering schools an alternative to suspending or expelling students for bad behavior. Senate Bill 1345 would allow school districts to voluntarily issue fines or community service to students who misbehave as punishment rather that giving them in-school or out-of-school suspension.

A measure filed Wednesday in the Senate will help ensure that the visitation rights of law-abiding noncustodial parents are protected. Sen. Ron Sharp filed Senate Bill 1612 after visiting with attorneys and community leaders from around the state and learning about the growing problem of noncustodial parents being denied their visitation rights by bitter custodial parents.

The Senate honored the life and accomplishments of Oklahoma’s son, Gordon Cooper Wednesday on the 50th anniversary of his spaceflight. Sen. Ron Sharp presented Senate Resolution 34 declaring the day as “Gordon Cooper Day” in Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, commended student participants in the Duncan Area Youth Engineering Contest, recently hosted by the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation (DAEDF) on Nov. 21 for 7-12th grade students in the Red River Technology sending school district.

Sen. Paul Scott recently joined First Lady Sarah Stitt, other state officials and school administrators to discuss efforts to treat and prevent stress caused from childhood trauma. Guests viewed the documentary, “Resilience”, which sheds light on this growing problem among Oklahoma students.

On Monday afternoon, members of the Senate Rules Committee learned about the importance of census participation and the negative impact that can occur from under reporting. Presentations were made by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits and the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy.

Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, requested the interim study to learn how census counts impact Oklahoma.

Senator Paul Scott, R-Duncan, is the author of Senate Bill 101 to update Oklahoma’s barbering and massage therapist licensing rules. The bill went to conference and has passed both the Senate and House committee and is now heading to the House for a floor vote. If approved, it will then go on to the Governor for consideration.

Oklahoma’s more than 4,100 foster families will soon get some financial relief following the signing of Senate Bill 893 Tuesday. Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, and Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, authored the bill, which will provide a $5,000 income tax exemption for anyone contracting with a child-placing agency for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2019.