Suicide training for schools, legislation for domestic violence/assault victims and measure on nonprofit properties become law

OKLAHOMA CITY – A range of bipartisan measures introduced this session by Senate Democratic Leader Kay Floyd, aimed at topics from suicide prevention to better assisting victims of domestic violence, have been signed into law.  Floyd, D-Oklahoma City, thanked her colleagues and the governor for their support on the legislation.

“Each of these measures deals with issues impacting Oklahomans and their families in every part of this state, and they were passed with overwhelming, bipartisan support,” Floyd said.  “I’m deeply grateful to my co-authors, our fellow members and to Governor Stitt for getting these bills through the Legislature and in our statutes.”

Those measures now signed into law include:

• Senate Bill 16, by Floyd and Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa.  As the backlog of sexual assault evidence kits across Oklahoma is being addressed, crime victims can experience trauma.  SB 16 will give victims access to counseling services.
• Senate Bill 17, by Floyd and Bush.  The legislation enhances Oklahoma’s Lethality Assessment Protocol (LAP) used by law enforcement investigating domestic violence crimes to identify victims at greatest risk of becoming homicide victims and identifying resources.
• Senate Bill 21, by Floyd and Rep. Marcus McEntire, R-Duncan.  Makes it mandatory for teachers and staff to undergo suicide awareness and prevention training once every two years. 
• Senate Bill 22, by Floyd and Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City.  The measure concerns nonprofits that have leased closed school buildings to provide local services.  Those nonprofits will be given the right of first refusal if a school district later decides to sell the building.