House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to aid in the state’s response to sexual assault by ensuring the continuation of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Statewide Coordinator within the District Attorneys Council. House Bill 4141 by Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City, would remove a sunset date in state law to allow the coordinator position to continue once funding is secured. The role coordinates with SANE nurses across Oklahoma who provide compassionate care to victims of sexual assault and collect critical forensic evidence that may later be used in court. "Victims deserve compassionate care and a system that works together to seek justice," Manger said. "To date, the state legislature has not appropriated funds for this position, but we will continue advocating for dedicated funding in the state budget." The SANE coordinator position was previously funded through a federal grant administered by the Tulsa Police Department, but those funds have expired and the role no longer exists. Under HB4141, the coordinator would oversee forensic medical examination training across Oklahoma, recruit and develop additional SANE professionals and help create and expand local Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and Sexual Assault Response Team programs. Currently, Oklahoma has no centralized oversight or coordination among SANE programs. Manger says this could limit a victim’s ability to access an examination and may affect the quality and consistency of evidence collected in investigations. According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation , 2,330 rapes were reported in Oklahoma in 2020. Of those cases, 160 alleged perpetrators were arrested, representing about 7% of reported incidents. "A statewide coordinator is essential to strengthening coordination between medical providers, law enforcement and prosecutors so evidence is collected properly and cases can move forward effectively," Manger said. "It will also help address gaps in training, staffing and program development across Oklahoma so communities have the resources needed to properly respond to these cases." HB4141 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

Legislation designed to better align higher education programs with workforce demand and improve transparency for students has passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 2398 , authored by Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, establishes a statewide framework allowing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to designate certain degrees, certificates, licenses and industry-recognized credentials as “credentials of value.” Under the measure, programs seeking the designation must demonstrate strong outcomes for students, including a positive return on investment and alignment with state and regional workforce needs. The bill requires annual reporting on completion rates, employment outcomes, earnings and program costs to help students make informed decisions about their education and career paths. "As our economy continues to evolve, Oklahoma must be intentional about connecting education with real workforce opportunities," Hill said. "House Bill 2398 helps ensure students have clear, reliable information about which programs are most likely to lead to good-paying jobs and long-term success. It will give students better guidance, strengthen our workforce pipeline and help ensure taxpayer-supported education programs deliver real value." The legislation also includes safeguards Hill said would support high-need workforce areas such as education and public safety, helping Oklahoma continue to prepare workers for critical roles that serve communities across the state. "We thank Rep. Brian Hill for his thoughtful leadership in advancing legislation focused on Credentials of Value," said Chancellor Sean Burrage. "Defining and measuring programs that lead Oklahomans to expanded career opportunities benefits individuals and families, serves our business community, and provides data to help institutions successfully align academic offerings with emerging workforce needs." HB2398 passed the House 70-20 and now moves to the Senate for consideration, where it's authored by Sen. Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, on Tuesday unanimously passed three bills in that House that would enhance punishments for those convicted of domestic or sexual abuse crimes as well as those who tamper with outdoor warning systems. The measures now move to the Senate. House Bill 1322 would create a Domestic Violence Offenders Registry to be available online for public view. Anyone convicted in Oklahoma of a domestic violence offense after Jan. 1, 2028, would be registered through district court clerks on the registry created and maintained by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. The registry would include the offender's name, the county or counties of conviction, their most recent booking photo and additional information. "Oklahoma persistently ranks as one of the worst states for domestic abuse," Ford said. "We must continue to work toward prevention and better support for victims of these crimes. Requiring domestic abusers to register will improve public awareness and give victims and law enforcement additional tools to keep themselves and the public safe."  Ford said the idea for the law came from Tennessee, which became the first state in the nation to launch a domestic violence offenders registry after the murder of Deputy Sheriff Savanna Puckett. It's reported she was killed by a former partner who had a documented history of domestic violence. If enacted in Oklahoma, the offender would be required to pay a $150 registration fee. They can be removed from the registry five years after completion of their last sentence. The registry shall not include the names of any victim. House Bill 4104 would add three crimes to the list of those that require registry as a sex offender: second and subsequent offense of watching, gazing or looking upon a person in a clandestine manner; using photographic, electronic or video equipment in clandestine manner; and second or subsequent offense of using such means to capture images of a private area without consent.   Ford said the bill deals with three subsections of Oklahoma's Peeping Tom statute. One addresses watching people changing clothes through a window, which is currently a misdemeanor. Another deals with attempting to take photos of peoples' private areas while they are in the public – also a misdemeanor. A third addresses an individual who hides a camera in a private area such as a locker or dressing room or a space where people would assume privacy. This bill would turn second or subsequent misdemeanor offenses under this area of statute into felonies and require any felony offender to register as a sex offender.  House Bill 4107 would make it unlawful to tamper with, activate, attempt to activate or cause to be activated an outdoor warning siren without proper authorization. Punishment would be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in the county jail or both. If an unauthorized activation caused a false emergency response or public panic, the offense would become a felony punishable by up to $5,000, up to one year in the county jail or both fine and imprisonment.  Ford said such tampering is happening now, and it causes havoc, especially during this time of year when all Oklahomans are on heightened alert for severe weather.