The Senate gave unanimous approval to legislation Tuesday to allow judges to consider post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a mitigating factor when making sentencing decisions for veterans. Sen. Frank Simpson is the Senate principal author of House Bill 2595, which he says will help veterans get the assistance they need rather than being sent to jail.

There are currently estimated to be over 300 homeless veterans in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Funeral Directors Association says that statewide they bury approximately 25 indigent veterans each year and absorb the costs of the funerals. On Wednesday, the Senate unanimously approved Senate 1134, by Sen. Frank Simpson, which would provide a funding mechanism for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs’ (ODVA) Indigent Veteran Burial Program.

The Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 913 Tuesday to ensure Oklahoma’s Army and Air National Guard personnel can protect themselves and others while on the job. The bill, by Sen. Frank Simpson, would allow such authorized veterans to carry loaded or unloaded concealed weapons at Oklahoma Military Department facilities.

Sen. Frank Simpson recently filed legislation to better protect Oklahoma veterans while on duty. Senate Bill 913 clarifies that Oklahoma Army or Air National Guard personnel with proper authorization may carry loaded or unloaded concealed weapons on Oklahoma Military Department facilities while performing a military function.

The Department of Defense recently recognized state Sen. Frank Simpson for his work on two bills this past session supporting Oklahoma veterans. Simpson said he was honored by the recognition and proud to support his fellow veterans.

“It is an honor to be recognized for our work on behalf of active military members and our veterans. I could not have done it without the help of my assistant Glenda Colbert. She and I have worked hard over the past five years to help meet the needs of our veterans and military families,” said Simpson, R-Springer.

Millions of Americans have served in the U.S. Armed Forces over the years and many have unknowingly been exposed to toxins that have caused harmful side effects. Many children of veterans have been born with birth defects stemming from such exposure. Both the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense track toxic exposures and possible exposures but do not conduct follow-up research on the veterans and their offspring.

On Tuesday, the Senate passed two bills to provide more services for Oklahoma veterans and their families. Senate Bills 398 and 713 seek to help veterans both living and deceased. Sen. Frank Simpson, a retired Navy veteran and chairman of the Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee, is the author of the measures.

Inspired by the success and community support of the Coffee Bunker in Tulsa, Sen. Frank Simpson filed legislation this session to establish more veteran outreach centers around the state to help veterans who are struggling after returning from combat. On Thursday, the Senate Veterans Committee approved Senate Bill 713, which would require the development of seven peer-supported, drop-in centers for veterans.

More than 20 veterans commit suicide every day in the United States and an estimated 60,000 are homeless. Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Tommy Hardin will be holding a joint interim study beginning next week to develop a better understanding of the two issues and figure out a solution to better assist Oklahoma veterans.

Simpson, a retired Navy veteran, said the statistics are disturbing and Oklahoma’s veterans deserve better.

The House gave final approval to legislation Wednesday putting into statute an agreement made in 2013 between the Governor and the War Veterans Commission addressing smoking in Oklahoma’s veterans centers. Senate Bill 1777, by Sen. Frank Simpson and Rep. Pat Ownbey, will permit smoking by the residents of the centers until January 2018.