Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
For Immediate Release: April 17, 2009
Sen. Anthony Sykes
BIPARTISAN TEACHER PROTECTION ACT
HEADED TO GOVERNOR
The State Senate passed House Bill 1598 by Senator
Anthony Sykes on Wednesday, a bipartisan lawsuit reform bill providing
teachers and schools protections from lawsuits.
The purpose of the Act is to provide teachers, principals,
and other school professionals the tools they need to undertake
reasonable actions to maintain order, discipline, and an appropriate
educational environment.
“Many schools and teachers often fear they
will be subject to lawsuits if they take the simple steps necessary
to maintain order in their classroom,” said Sykes. “With
House Bill 1598, we can put protections in place for our teachers
in order for them to perform to the best of their ability in teaching
Oklahoma’s future generations. I am very encouraged to see
the bipartisan support of this bill and the Legislature’s
effort to work together in accomplishing this positive reform.”
House Bill 1598 passed by a vote of 91-1 in the
House, and by a vote of 45-1 in the Senate. It will now go to
the Governor’s desk for consideration.
For more information contact:
Sen. Sykes' Office: 405-521-5569