Maternal mortality rates in the United States have more than doubled since 1987, while pregnancy-related deaths across the world have been in decline. Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, wants to implement maternal mortality reporting in Oklahoma to address this concerning statistic.

Sen. George Young, D-Oklahoma City, filed Senate Bill 1286, which would create the Oklahoma Commission on Race and Equality.

If passed, the commission would advise state agencies, communities, businesses and organizations that request help on equality issues relating to racial discrimination and bias. The commission would also monitor legislation and act as a resource for racial issues. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma needs to be proactive in addressing assaults against medical professionals.  That’s according to Sen. Darrell Weaver, author of Senate Bill 1290, the Medical Care Provider Protection Act.

Both Republicans and Democrats in the Oklahoma Senate are joining the effort to get a full count in Oklahoma in the 2020 Census.

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat on Friday announced leadership changes made necessary due to the recent resignation of a member of the Senate.

“With a new legislative session drawing upon us, I am making these changes so the Senate can seamlessly move forward with our role in the legislative process. I am very confident in the members stepping into these new leadership roles and know they will do a great job for the Senate and the people of Oklahoma,” said Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

            State Sen. Brenda Stanley has been chosen for a new committee assignment for the 2020 legislative session.  Stanley, R-Midwest City, has been given a seat on the Senate Education Committee, tasked with addressing public policy legislation impacting education throughout the state. Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat announced Stanley’s appointment on Friday.

Sen. Rob Standridge said the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent rulings on Obamacare and gay marriage are just the latest examples of an out-of-control judiciary that has taken aim on traditional American values. He said these rulings have put more nails in the coffin of the 10th Amendment and states’ rights.

As part of his continued “Oklahoma First!” effort to encourage the promotion of Oklahoma businesses and products, Sen. Rob Standridge has filed legislation aimed at choosing textbooks produced in the state for use in public schools.

Senate Bill 1121 would direct the State Textbook Committee to give preference to books that have been produced in Oklahoma if the price, fitness, availability and quality are otherwise equal to textbooks produced out-of-state.

Oklahoma ranks 28th in the nation for human trafficking, and Sen. Wayne Shaw, R-Grove, wants to better equip law enforcement officers to recognize the signs of this illegal practice and protect trafficking victims. 

Sen. Ron Sharp, a member of the Senate Appropriation Subcommittee on Education, said Monday his recent correspondence with the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board (OSVCSB) verifies his concerns of further illegal enrollment practices by Epic Charter Schools in order to receive additional state funding. The state’s largest virtual charter school is currently under investigation for fraud and embezzlement.