Sen. Seifried and Rep. Lepak comment on approval of legislation to ensure child safety during supervised visits

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Ally Seifried joined fellow Claremore Republican Rep. Mark Lepak in sharing appreciation for Governor Stitt’s approval of Senate Bill 1756. Seifried said it has been an honor to author this piece of legislation that represents a meaningful step forward in ensuring the safety of children during supervised visitations when facilitated by third-party volunteers.

SB 1756 requires volunteer supervisors to provide an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation criminal history background check, an affidavit stating who resides in their home, and if the volunteer has any mental health or substance abuse issues. This ensures judges have the ability to make informed decisions when approving and appointing volunteers to supervise visits.

The legislation is a result of tragic events occurring last summer, where three innocent children were murdered by their mother. In the aftermath of this unthinkable tragedy, Seifried and Lepak said they had the privilege of working closely with two of the children’s fathers who, despite facing unimaginable grief, showed remarkable determination to prevent similar heartbreak for other families.

“This tragedy shook our community to its core. While we cannot erase the pain of those we have lost, I am honored to have played a role, however small, in bolstering safeguards that may prevent future tragedies. The memory of those precious children will forever inspire our efforts to create a safer world for our Oklahoma children,” Seifried said.

Seifried added that there are many individuals and organizations, as well as Rep. Lepak, who helped on the journey to pass SB 1756.

“This is a great example of turning grief into action in the service of others.  What a wonderful way to memorialize their children. Senator Seifried did a great job listening to the fathers of Noee and little Billy, and forming what they learned into common sense legislation that might someday prevent another tragedy.  I was honored to carry the bill to the House, and am grateful to them for its passage, and to the Governor for signing the bill,” Lepak said.

The provisions of Senate Bill 1756 will take effect November 1 of this year.

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For more information, contact: Sen. Ally Seifried at 405-521-5555, or email Ally.Seifried@oksenate.gov.

Rep. Mark Lepak at 405-557-7380, or email Mark.Lepak@okhouse.gov.