With 8,000 children in state custody as of March 1, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is always in need of more foster homes to meet the needs of the children in their care. Sen. Paul Scott realizes the important role foster parents play in protecting children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. He authored Senate Bill 893 to assist foster parents, as well as incentivize more individuals to volunteer to help Oklahoma’s children and their biological families.

In an effort to decrease the number of injuries and accidents caused by people passing stopped school buses, Sen. Paul Scott has authored Senate Bill 947. The bill will increase the penalty for overtaking a stopped school bus from $100 to $500.

Thursday was the deadline for filing bills to be considered during the 2019 legislative session. Together, the legislature will consider just over 2,800 bills and joint resolutions. Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, filed 21 bills and one joint resolution for the upcoming session. His final bills were filed Thursday afternoon.

Legislation was filed Thursday to keep felons from being unfairly punished for riding in vehicles with drivers legally carrying a firearm. Senate Bill 46 is authored by Sen. Paul Scott and Rep. Jim Olsen.

Legislation was filed Wednesday to eliminate a controversial program that provides free pregnancy-related care for undocumented non-citizens. Sen. Paul Scott filed Senate Bill 40 hoping to stop state funds from providing healthcare to pregnant illegal immigrants under the Soon-to-be-Sooners Program (STBS).

On Friday, Sen. Paul Scott and Sandra Shelton, Public and Government Affairs Liaison for the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, made a presentation about Women in Aviation & Aerospace Day at the spring board meeting of The Ninety-Nines, Inc. at their International Headquarters in Oklahoma City. The pair were advocating for other states to create their own commemorative day.

Oklahoma became the first state in the nation to recognize Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day when legislation was approved this spring. Sen. Paul Scott was the author of Senate Bill 230 creating the day to commemorate one of the state’s most popular industries.

“Oklahoma has a long, colorful history in aviation and women have played a major role in shaping that history,” said Scott, R-Duncan. “Women’s role in aviation needs to be celebrated and our young women today need to be introduced to this exciting industry and career opportunity.”

Each year, millions in untaxed money is wired out of the United States to other countries including from Oklahoma. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved Senate Bill 547 Wednesday to charge a fee on international wire transactions for individuals who do not present valid personal identification. Sen. Paul Scott, the principal author, said he filed the legislation to reduce the number of undocumented immigrants sending money out of the state as well as address drug money being funneled to other countries.

Legislation was filed Thursday to strengthen Oklahoma’s Heartbeat Informed Consent Act by providing a scientific definition of when life begins, with the first heartbeat. Sen. Paul Scott, R-Duncan, filed Senate Bill 710 to prohibit abortions if the embryonic or fetal heartbeat of the unborn child is audible.

Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, commented Tuesday on the Oklahoma ACES (Aerospace Commerce Economic Services) Programs first year and its many accomplishments. Rosino was the principal Senate author of House Bill 2578 in 2018 creating the state aerospace program.