Sen. McCortney wins Senate passage of bill to assist first responders/law enforcement during pandemics

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has approved legislation to better protect law enforcement and other first responders during a pandemic.  Sen. Greg McCortney, Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, is the author of House Bill 2938 which was approved by the full Senate on Thursday.

“Under the governor’s health emergency order declared earlier this spring, law enforcement and first responders answering a call are able to be informed if they are going to an address where someone is infected with COVID-19.  This information helps them determine whether they need to use personal protective equipment and thus better manage those resources,” said McCortney, R-Ada.  “This bill ensures that capability remains in place after the official emergency order expires.  We know there will still be COVID cases throughout the state at that point, but in addition, we’ll be better prepared should another pandemic occur.”

McCortney stressed that even though law enforcement and first-responders can be informed if they’re going to an address with an individual who has tested positive, identifying information would remain private.  He said placing this language in statute ensures state law will fall in line with HIPAA, the federal medical privacy act.

HB 2938 now returns to the House for further consideration.

For more information, contact Sen. Greg McCortney at 405-521-5541, or email Greg.McCortney@oksenate.gov.

-END-

MAKE IT COUNT OKLAHOMA! An undercount in the census of just 2 percent can cost the state $1.8 billion in lost federal money over the next 10 years. Fill out your census form, Oklahoma. Learn more at: www.2020census.gov.