Bill to Provide Nursing Homes with Sex Offender Info Clears Senate

The State Senate has approved a bill to provide Oklahoma nursing homes with postings of sex offender notifications. Senator Debbe Leftwich is principal author of the SB 870. Leftwich said the bill was designed to give families greater peace of mind.

“I’ve heard from constituents and others across the state who were concerned about this issue after reading news stories about sex offenders living in Oklahoma nursing homes,” Leftwich said. “I understand exactly why they are worried and upset, and that’s why we want nursing homes included with those entities local law enforcement provides sex offender notification.”

Once the nursing home is provided with copies of sex offender notifications, they would then be required to display the information in an area accessible to residents, employees and visitors.

“We’re also going to require criminal background checks for non-licensed full-time employees not currently covered by such requirements, such as cooks, janitors and other staff members,” Leftwich said.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.