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The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday unanimously approved legislation temporarily revising Open Meeting laws so that some members of a public body could participate in public meetings via videoconference and teleconference.

House and Senate leaders on Monday announced restricted access to the Capitol building in response to the COVID-19 challenge in Oklahoma.

Beginning Tuesday, in order to reduce the potential for community spread of COVID-19, access to the Capitol will be restricted to elected state officials, essential Capitol staff, credentialed press and state officials invited to essential meetings. These restrictions are similar to protocols put in place recently at the U.S. Capitol and other capitol buildings nationwide.

The Senate has voted in favor of legislation requiring standardized investigations following the sudden, unexplained death of infants in Oklahoma.  Sen. Stephanie Bice is principal author of Senate Bill 1893, which was approved unanimously on Wednesday. 

A bill to repeal the requirement for threaders to obtain a cosmetology license passed unanimously in the Senate this week.  Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, said Senate Bill 1540 will correct an oversight that is hurting small business owners while providing no training for the popular hair removal practice. 

The Senate has given full approval to a measure to ensure 9-1-1 operators throughout Oklahoma have Telecommunicator Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (TCPR) training. Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, said Senate Bill 1845 directs the Oklahoma 9-1-1 Management Authority to develop a training program in TCPR for 9-1-1 operators by June 30, 2021. The bill received unanimous approval on Tuesday.

Legislation aimed at better supporting disabled veterans who work for the state has cleared the full Senate.  State Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Owasso, is principal author of Senate Bill 1434, which gives an additional 16 hours of sick leave each year for veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 30 percent or more.  The bill was approved on Monday.

A program to encourage Oklahoma children to become better readers is one step closer to becoming a reality.  Senate Bill 1803, by Sen. John Haste, creates the framework for Oklahoma to have its own Imagination Library, a program to get free books in the hands of children.  Haste said the goal is to encourage a love of reading and improve education outcomes.  The bill, modeled after a program founded by entertainer Dolly Parton in her home state of Tennessee, was approved on Monday.

Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson issued the following statement on Monday after Attorney General Mike Hunter responded to Thompson’s request for a legal opinion as to whether Gov. Kevin Stitt could deposit state revenues from tribal gaming exclusivity fees in escrow while awaiting the outcome of federal litigation over gaming compacts between the state and tribes.

The full Senate voted in favor of legislation strengthening laws dealing with violence against people who work in hospitals and health care facilities.  Senate Bill 1290, the Medical Care Provider Protection Act, by Sen. Darrell Weaver, was approved on Thursday and now moves to the House of Representatives.

The Senate approved the Unborn Person Wrongful Death Act Thursday to address the pain and suffering of family members of babies whose lives are ended through abortion.  Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, is the author of Senate Bill 1728, which modifies provisions relating to awarding damages resulting from wrongful death in cases of abortions performed under fraudulent circumstances.