In the midst of a historic teacher shortage, further crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen.

The Senate Public Safety Committee on Wednesday heard testimony from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) and Office of the Attorney General in an interim study hosted by Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, regarding the state’s response to the sexual assault kits backlog.

The Senate Public Safety Committee heard from breastfeeding advocates, experts and philanthropists Tuesday regarding the benefits of breastfeeding and programs other states have implemented to increase health outcomes for incarcerated women and their babies.

Sen. Julia Kirt will lead an interim study to examine the resources needed for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities transitioning from public schools to further education, employment and independent living.

The Oklahoma City Democrat said the study will analyze the benefits and potential drawbacks of people with developmental or intellectual disabilities staying in school longer as well as the pros and cons of utilizing federal funds available for disabled students.

Senate Majority Caucus Chair Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, will host an interim study regarding criminal sentencing reform today, Tuesday, Oct. 5, at 1 p.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A trio of state Senators are attending the 2021 Center for the Advancement of Leadership Skills (CALS) in Little Rock, AR, this week. Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, and Sen.

Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, and 12 additional state senators, sent a letter to the Executive Director of the Oklahoma State School Boards Association (OSSBA), Shawn Hime, on Friday, asking him to denounce statements from the National School Boards Association (NSBA) sent to President Joe Biden.

Daniels referenced a letter sent by NSBA to the president on Sept. 29 requesting federal assistance to stop threats and acts of violence against public school board members, district officials, educators and students.

A measure intended to create a manufacturing boon for the state and open the free market for the purchase of firearm suppressors, also known as silencers

After hearing stories of lost scholarships and unearned degrees, Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, is hosting an interim study to learn how Oklahoma can better accommodate pregnant students in high school, college, and CareerTech.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, issued the following statement on Friday after it was announced that national higher education and business leader Allison D. Garrett had been chosen as the next chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, succeeding Chancellor Glen D. Johnson.