Representative Ross Ford

R

District 76

Hi, I’m Ross Ford and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 76th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Whip

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

Mar 31, 2025
Recent Posts

Ford Bills Move to Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, this week commented on his legislation that passed in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate for consideration. "I'm glad to send these measures onto the next step as I believe they would help Oklahomans," Ford said. "From getting sexual assault victims more timely help, to assuring our schools can hire special education directors to help meet their needs, and helping provide appropriate merit protection for our law enforcement officers." Two of Ford's bills seek to help victims of sexual assault. House Bill 1676 would create the Kay Floyd Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) statewide coordinator position under the direction of the District Attorneys Council. The measure also establishes an annual salary for the position that would be paid for from funds appropriated to the council. Ford said the hope is for the coordinator to create a network of trained sexual assault nurse examiners to be placed throughout the state so victims do not have to wait hours for an examination. "We're trying to figure out how to best serve the victims in Oklahoma so no one has to wait or travel to get help," Ford said. The bill is named for former Sen. Kay Floyd who Ford said dedicated much of her career in the Legislature to working for sexual assault and domestic violence victims. "I felt it was fitting to give her credit for all her years of service to these victims," Ford said. House Bill 2705 includes a victim's right to be informed of whether a DNA profile was obtained during forensic evidence collection. If so, whether the DNA profile has been entered into a Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) Database, and whether there is a confirmed match between the DNA profile developed from the sexual assault evidence and a DNA profile contained within the CODIS Database. "Sexual assault victims deserve to be kept up to date on the status of any evidence collected as their criminal cases move forward," said Ford, a former police officer with more than 25 years of service. Another of his bills, House Bill 1138 would amend the process by which some of the state's law enforcement officers, including those that are certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, could obtain merit protection hearings when facing disciplinary action or grievance complaints and mediation is unsuccessful. House Bill 2702 would allow school districts to hire special education directors and assistant directors who have achieved micro-credential certification through the State Department of Education in addition to those that have gone the standard track. "This would help out our school districts by allowing them to hire administrators who achieve the appropriate training to help our special education teachers and students," Ford said.

Feb 27, 2025
Recent Posts

Ford Education Bills Now Eligible for Floor Consideration

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, this week secured unanimous passage of two bills in final House committees making them eligible for consideration on the House floor. House Bill 2696 would require schools to release student records to the student's parents or guardians, or if requested, to the students themselves if they are 18 years old or older. It would require the release in a timely manner and free of charge. The bill passed in the Education Oversight Committee on Wednesday. "Several parents throughout the state brought this matter to my attention," Ford said. "They said they were having trouble getting information about their own children because of how school administrators are interpreting existing state statute. In one case, parents were asked to pay an exorbitant fee to obtain the information. This would clarify the matter. "Parents have the right to know what records a school district has collected or maintained on their children." Records included under the measure are personal communications related to the students' Individualized Education Program, behaviors that result in a disciplinary action, official school activities, including student-teacher meetings, and others. House Bill 2702 passed the House Appropriations & Budget Committee. The measure would require current and new directors and assistant directors of districtwide school special education programs to complete a 150-hour training course on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) within one year of starting the job if they do not currently hold a valid special education teaching certificate. "This just increases the amount of training our special education directors and assistant directors receive as they deal with children with extra needs," Ford said.   -END-   Ross Ford, a Republican, represents House District 76 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of Tulsa County. 

Feb 5, 2025
Recent Posts

Committee Approves Ford Bill to Assist Sexual Assault Victims

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, on Tuesday won committee passage of a bill that would require investigating law enforcement agencies to release to victims of sexual assault the status of any forensic evidence collected as part of their criminal case. House Bill 2705 passed unanimously in the House Criminal Judiciary Committee. It is now eligible for consideration by the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight. "Sexual assault is horrendous crime. Victims deserve to be kept up to date on the status of any evidence collected as their criminal cases move forward," said Ford, a former police officer with more than 25 years of service. HB2705 includes a victim's right to be informed of whether a DNA profile was obtained during forensic evidence collection. If so, whether the DNA profile has been entered into a Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) Database, and whether there is a confirmed match between the DNA profile developed from the sexual assault evidence and a DNA profile contained within the CODIS Database. The measure does not, however, require the disclosure of evidence, information, or results that would impede or compromise an ongoing criminal investigation.