House Media

Legislation strengthening protections for victims of child sexual abuse passed the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee today. House Bill 4227, known as "Trey's Law," authored by Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, ensures perpetrators can be held accountable for their crimes, no matter how much time has passed. The legislation voids and makes unenforceable any settlement agreement that conceals details related to claims of child sexual abuse or child sexual exploitation. The bill maintains confidentiality for identifying information of victims, while preventing abusers and institutions from hiding behind nondisclosure agreements (NDAs). The measure also provides that prosecutions for sexual crimes against children may be commenced at any time after the commission of the offense. “Trey’s Law is about making sure justice is never silenced,” said Kannady. “For too long, NDAs have been used to shield predators and powerful institutions from accountability. This bill ensures that victims are not legally bound to secrecy while their abusers avoid the consequences of their crimes.” The legislation follows the highly publicized case involving Robert Morris, founder of Gateway Church, who pleaded guilty in October to five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child and is currently in jail in Osage County. The charges stemmed from abuse that occurred in the 1980s in Hominy, Oklahoma when the victim, Cindy Clemishire, was just 12 years old. The legislation was amended Tuesday to become the "Cindy Clemishire Act." Clemishire publicly testified in support of Trey’s Law in recent months and was in the committee Tuesday when the legislation passed. Decades earlier, she sought legal recourse but refused to sign a nondisclosure agreement that would have permanently barred her from speaking about the abuse. Her decision ultimately allowed her to continue pursuing justice. “My hope is that many victims hear my story and it can help lift their shame and allow them to speak up," said Clemishire said in a statement released to the press after the guilty plea. "I hope that laws continue to change and new ones are written so children and victim’s rights are better protected. I hope that people understand the only way to stop child sexual abuse is to speak up when it happens or is suspected."

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, passed six bills in the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee. The bills now await consideration to be heard by the full membership of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 1322 would create a Persistent Domestic Violence Offenders Registry available online to the public. Anyone convicted in Oklahoma of a second domestic violence offense after Jan. 1, 2027, would be registered through district court clerks on the registry created and maintained by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. 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 for prurient interests; using photographic, electronic or video equipment in clandestine manner for prurient interests; and second or subsequent offense of using such means to capture images of a private area without consent.   "Domestic violence and sex offense crimes are the most repugnant to our society," Ford said. "The public deserves to made aware of when such criminals are in our midst. The hope, of course, is to deter such crimes in the first place." House Bill 4105 would exclude from the definition of "security guard" any person operating unarmed or contracted as an usher queue agent, ticket agent, gate agent, credential verification agent or similar role for any event, concert, festival or sporting event. Ford said the measure is a simple clarification of law. House Bill 4106 would lower the threshold amount for grand larceny from $1,000 to $900. Additionally, a third offense of petty larceny would become a felony offense. Ford said since voters originally voted to increase the threshold for grand larceny from $500 to $1,000 10 years ago, retail theft has increased exponentially. "Professional criminals know the threshold amount and consider the fines involved just part of doing business," Ford said. "While this is a small step to reduce petty larceny, it’s a move in the right direction." 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 in his area, and it causes havoc. House Bill 4108 would add the operational area of an airport to the list of places considered critical infrastructure. Those convicted of trespass would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $1,000 or imprisonment in a county jail for a term of six months or both. "This will protect our international and other airports as they conduct vital services for our citizens," Ford said. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – A concurrent resolution by Rep. Jason Blair, R-Moore, and Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, honoring Oklahoma native and country music icon Toby Keith and supporting the naming of a planned turnpike in his memory was heard on the Senate floor today and adopted. House Concurrent Resolution 1019 recognizes Keith’s lasting impact on music, his deep Oklahoma roots and his legacy of service to the nation. The measure proposes naming the new turnpike corridor the Toby Keith Expressway . The measure was heard and adopted on the House floor on Feb. 25. "Toby Keith was more than a country music star. He was a proud Oklahoman who never forgot where he came from," Blair said. "Naming this turnpike in his honor is a fitting way to recognize a man who represented our state with ultimate patriotism and generosity." The planned route is part of the ACCESS Oklahoma Long-Range Plan and would extend from Interstate 44 east to Interstate 35 near Indian Hills Road, continuing east and north to Interstate 40 at the Kickapoo Turnpike. The project is intended to improve safety, strengthen regional connectivity and support economic growth across the Oklahoma City metropolitan area. "Over the course of his legendary career, Toby Keith never forgot where he came from or what he stood for," said Standridge. "His Oklahoma roots shaped him, and his love of America defined him. He was a country music superstar and a true patriot. I can think of no better way to honor his memory than by naming this future stretch of Norman turnpike in his honor, creating a lasting tribute to the legacy he leaves behind." Born in Clinton and raised in Moore, Keith rose to national prominence with a career that included more than 40 million albums sold and over 20 No. 1 hits. His songs, including "Should’ve Been a Cowboy," "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)" and "American Soldier," earned widespread acclaim and a loyal fan base. In addition to his musical success, Keith was known for his unwavering support of the U.S. military. He performed more than 300 shows on USO tours in combat zones, offering encouragement to American service members stationed overseas. Keith also made a lasting impact through his charitable work. After a devastating tornado struck his hometown of Moore in 2013, Keith organized the OK Twister Relief Concert to support families who lost their homes and faced significant hardship in the storm’s aftermath. He also created the Toby Keith Foundation , which has helped children with cancer since 2006, focusing on providing no-cost housing for families during treatment. In 2014, the foundation opened OK Kids Korral, a cost-free home for pediatric cancer patients receiving care at The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, the Stephenson Cancer Center and other nearby facilities. "Toby Keith’s legacy goes far beyond music," Blair said. "He spent years supporting our troops and helping families and children in some of the toughest moments imaginable. This turnpike designation is just a small way to ensure his impact will be remembered by generations to come." Keith died Feb. 5, 2024, following a battle with cancer. The resolution honors his life, patriotism and enduring contributions to Oklahoma and the nation.