An amendment that would require health insurance policies to cover diagnosis, treatment and therapy for autism disorders passed the Oklahoma Senate on a bipartisan vote today.

The plan, called “Nick’s Law,” will give Oklahoma families a better opportunity to fight a disability affecting more children than ever. Both Senator Jay Paul Gumm, D-Durant, and Senator Mary Easley, D-Tulsa, proposed amendments to a pair of bills that were subsequently approved and sent to the House of Representatives.

An unlicensed driver who causes an injury or fatality accident would face stiffer penalties under legislation approved by the full Senate. State Sen. Debbe Leftwich is author of Senate bill 1599, which was approved unanimously on Tuesday.

“Last summer, there were two accidents in my district, each involving a person driving with a suspended license. In each accident a child died,” Leftwich said. “I was shocked to learn the most those drivers could be charged with was a misdemeanor. That’s barely a slap on the wrist.”

The Senate on Monday unanimously approved a measure intended to make Oklahoma schools some of the nations safest.

SB 1941, the Oklahoma School Security Act, includes numerous provisions to secure school facilities, reduce school violence and bullying and involve school administrators in making their schools safer places for students and staff. Sen. Todd Lamb, author of the bill, said he was pleased the Senate approved a measure that could help combat the growing problem of school violence.

By a vote of 31 to 16 the Oklahoma Senate adopted legislation to speed up the elimination of the state’s death tax by one year. The bill would have no impact on the upcoming budget year.

State Senator Mike Johnson, R-Kingfisher, authored the legislation.

“The death tax is a burden to farmers and small businesses in Oklahoma, so Senate Republicans believe this tax should be eliminated sooner rather than later,” said Johnson. “This is tight budget year, so we structured the bill so it does not impact the upcoming budget year.”

The Oklahoma Senate adopted a key piece of the Senate Republicans’ agenda to make state government more accountable and innovative.

SB 1865 by Senate Co-President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee creates the Office of Accountability and Innovation within the Legislative Service Bureau. The bill was adopted by 41 to 6 vote.

Detailed information contained on digital driver licenses is supposed to be used for public safety purposes—but right now, there is no law protecting individuals from having that information used for other purposes, including identity theft.
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The state Senate on Tuesday approved a measure to increase penalties for the malicious injury or destruction of private property. Sen. Anthony Sykes, author of the legislation, said the bill is a response to the growing problem of ‘tagging’, or the defacing or destruction of property with graffiti.

Sykes said the crime is not only becoming an increasingly more frequent nuisance in urban areas but is also occurring in Oklahoma’s smaller communities.

The Oklahoma State Senate approved legislation Tuesday by a 47-0 vote, creating a 13-member task force to examine the HIV/AIDS problem in Oklahoma’s minority communities and make recommendations for action.

Senate Bill 1829, was authored by State Senator Judy Eason-McIntyre, D-Tulsa, and co-authored by Senator Constance N. Johnson, D-Oklahoma County. It now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The Oklahoma State Senate passed key pro-life legislation that provides protection to pro-life healthcare providers.

Senate Bill 1878 by Senator Todd Lamb, R-Edmond, creates the Freedom of Conscience Act, which protects the rights of healthcare providers to refuse to take part in the destruction of human life.

Protection under this legislation is provided to employees or prospective employees who have objections, based on their religious conviction or moral code, to such scenarios as participating in or performing an abortion, stem cell research, or euthanasia.

A bill proposing the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) to protect domestic abuse victims passed by a unanimous vote today in the Oklahoma State Senate. Authored by State Senator Debbe Leftwich, D-OKC, Senate Bill 2163 uses available technology to better protect Oklahoma citizens.

Leftwich said using all available resources and cutting-edge technologies to make Oklahoma safer is responsible government.