What started as a rally for support for the thousands of Oklahoma grandparents raising their grandchildren back in September of 2004, has turned into a law strengthening the rights of those grandparents. Senate Bill 733, authored by Senator Daisy Lawler, was signed into law today by Governor Brad Henry as a host of grandparents and bill supporters stood in the Governor’s Blue Room to witness the ceremonial bill signing.

“Strengthening families through granting rights to the very people who help raise the future generations of Oklahomans is simply the right thing to do,” Lawler said. “I am so proud this year in the Oklahoma Legislature, grandparents are being recognized for all they do to help make tomorrow better for our children.”

Lawler said the bill grants certain rights to grandparents that had not previously been recognized by Oklahoma law. These rights include:
• Informing grandparents when their grandchildren have been taken into protective custody.
• Empowering grandparents to speak on behalf of the child in court.
• Connecting the Department of Human Services (DHS) with grandparents to inform them of services available to their grandchild.

“In a state where one in nine children is raised by their grandparents, it makes sense to arm these caregivers with all the information in the world that would make a difference in the life of that child,” Lawler said. “Today is a great day for grandparents across this state, but more importantly today is a great day for the children of Oklahoma that have been blessed with the love of their grandparents.”

For more information contact:
Sen. Lawler's Office- (405) 521-5569