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OKLAHOMA CITY –Legislation to help law enforcement better aid victims of domestic violence has now been approved by both chambers and will next be considered by Gov. Kevin Stitt.  Senate Bill 17, by Sen. Kay Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa, received overwhelming bipartisan support from legislators.  The measure enhances Oklahoma’s Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) used by law enforcement investigating domestic violence crimes.

Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, Sen. Michael Brooks and Sen. Julia Kirt met with media after the Senate's 12th week of session.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat met with media after the Senate's 12th week of session.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation was signed Wednesday to better protect the rights of grieving families after the loss of a pregnancy. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, and Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, are the authors of Senate Bill 647. Lily’s Law extends to all families, regardless of when a stillbirth or fetal death occurs, the right to request their child’s remains for private burial.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill clarifying the definition of rape to include acts within or without the bonds of matrimony is on its way to the governor’s desk. House Bill 2666, by Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, passed the Senate unanimously Wednesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has approved legislation to ensure disclosure of foreign investments in medical marijuana businesses.  House Bill 2272, by Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, and Rep. Josh West, R-Grove, was requested by Attorney General Mike Hunter.  The measure was approved in the Senate on Wednesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill aimed at promoting civility during local government meetings has been signed into law.  Senate Bill 403, by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City, and Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, was approved by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Wednesday.

SB 403 expands existing law which makes it illegal for anyone to willfully disturb, interfere or disrupt state business to include local government meetings held by school boards, county and municipal governments.

OKLAHOMA CITY – More of Oklahoma’s students will soon be able to take advantage of Oklahoma’s Promise, the state’s free tuition program, following the signing of Senate Bill 132 Tuesday. The bill’s author, Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, said it will provide students more time to decide whether they want to go to college or a career tech by allowing public and private school students to apply up through the 11^th grade or up to the age of 17 for home-schooled students.

OKLAHOMA CITY –Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Thompson, R-Okemah, gave an update on Wednesday about key areas of the budget as negotiations between the Senate and House continue for Fiscal Year 2022.  Thompson touched on some of the items under discussion and his priorities for the budget.

EDUCATION FUNDING

OKLAHOMA CITY – Each year, thousands of military families are transferred to Oklahoma’s four military bases. Navy veteran and Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee chair Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer, authored a pair of bills this session to help these families speed up the process of getting their children back in the classroom. Senate Bills 68 and 69 were signed into law Tuesday.