Standridge tackles school athletic event safety with Senate Bill 1198

After the devastating death of a Lexington, Okla., middle school athlete injured during a football game last fall, Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, wants school districts across the state to provide emergency medical services at athletic events.

Senate Bill 1198, which overwhelmingly passed the Senate Education Committee today with a vote of 14-0, would direct all Oklahoma school district boards of education to coordinate with emergency medical service providers to develop a plan to provide emergency medical services at athletic events or activities held at school facilities.

The measure requires the plan to be reviewed and updated annually and placed on file with the school district and emergency medical services provider.

“We should do everything in our power to protect our young athletes across the state,” Standridge said. “There should never be a question if an ambulance or doctor will make it in time to tend to an injury at a school athletic event. This is common sense legislation that will no doubt speed up injury response time and possibly save lives. Our student athletes deserve it, and I’m glad the Senate Education Committee agrees this is a law we need to protect our children.”

If signed into law, school boards would need to comply prior to the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. The bill will next be heard by the full Senate for consideration.

For more information, contact: Sen. Rob Standridge at 405-521-5535, or email Rob.Standridge@oksenate.gov

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