House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – Three measures authored by Rep. Kevin Norwood, R-Owasso, are now eligible to be heard on the House floor after receiving unanimous approval from House oversight committees. House Bill 4092 , which addresses Oklahoma’s 988 mental health crisis system, passed the House Appropriations and Budget Committee unanimously. The bill would establish a statewide 988 Trust Fund to support and maintain a comprehensive 988 Lifeline system and calls for improved use of technology to strengthen coordination and data collection for crisis services. The bill would also designate the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as the lead agency for suicide prevention and crisis services and require designated 988 centers to follow national standards. "This measure helps ensure the 988 system does not go away, and that the state can properly support it so that it can continue serve as the lifeline for Oklahomans facing a mental health crisis," Norwood said. House Bill 4095 , which updates governance of the Oklahoma 211 Collaborative, passed the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee unanimously after previously advancing through the Children, Youth and Family Services Policy Committee. The Oklahoma 211 Collaborative oversees call centers that connect Oklahomans with services such as food, housing, clothing, transportation and medical assistance. The bill would reduce the collaborative’s governing board from 15 members to nine members and establish staggered initial terms to maintain continuity. "The 211 system plays an important role in connecting people with critical services across our state," Norwood said. "This bill would strengthen the governance structure to help ensure the system remains efficient and accountable in meeting the needs of Oklahomans." House Bill 4302 also passed the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee unanimously. The bill allows the Office of Juvenile System Oversight to share a complainant’s identity with law enforcement if that individual makes a threat and disclosure is needed to protect public safety. “House Bill 4302 would give authorities the ability to act when necessary to keep the public safe, while keeping the core responsibilities of the office intact," Norwood said. All three measures are now eligible for consideration on the House floor.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation aimed at strengthening protections for homeowners approached at their residences for storm-related repair work is now headed to the Senate after the House voted 82-4 to approve the measure. House Bill 3790 , titled the Oklahoma Homeowner Repair Contract Protection Act and authored by Rep. Stacy Adams, R-Duncan, would establish a five-day cancellation period for certain home repair contracts entered into through in-person solicitation at a homeowner’s residence. “I am thankful my colleagues understood the issue Oklahomans face every day,” Adams said. “We are a state that can be hit with storms at any time, and this measure gives homeowners added peace of mind when they are making important decisions about repairs.” The bill is designed to protect homeowners from being locked into contracts after being solicited at their door for repair work. Under the measure, homeowners would have five business days to cancel a qualifying contract, giving them time to fully review the terms before being bound by the agreement. “There is currently no statute that provides this type of cancellation window,” Adams said. “Even without money changing hands, a verbal contract can be enforceable in Oklahoma. This bill brings clarity and fairness to the process. I appreciate Sen. Kristen Thompson for carrying the bill in the Senate.” The Oklahoma Homeowner Repair Contract Protection Act previously passed both the House Civil Judiciary Committee and the House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee unanimously. HB3790 is now eligible to be heard in the Senate, where Sen. Kristen Thompson, R-Edmond, is the Senate author.

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."