Last week, the Oklahoma legislation known as the “Cindy Clemishire Act” died after the state Senate adjourned early, without calling the bill to a floor vote. This came just one day after its unanimous passage out of the Senate Judiciary…
Oklahoma House passes ‘Cindy Clemishire Act’ and ‘Trey’s Law’
On March 17, the Oklahoma House of Representatives voted unanimously to pass House Bill 4227, a piece of sexual abuse legislation now being referred to as the “Cindy Clemishire Act.” Cindy Clemishire is an Oklahoma native who was sexually abused…
‘Trey’s Law’ filed in Oklahoma House of Representatives
Oklahoma Rep. Chris Kannady has filed HB 4227, which includes a version of “Trey’s Law” legislation that aims to ensure survivors of child sexual abuse and trafficking are no longer silenced by nondisclosure agreements in civil settlements. The bill also eliminates…
Oklahoma senator says of LGBTQ kids, ‘We don’t want that filth in our state’
“We don’t want that filth in our state,” an Oklahoma state senator said of LGBTQ students, who are being targeted by at least 50 Republican-supported bills in the legislature with full endorsement from the secretary of education. Sen. Tom Woods,…
Oklahoma legislators say life begins at ‘fertilization’
Oklahoma legislators appear to know the exact answer to a question that has vexed doctors and theologians for centuries: When does life begin? According to a controversial bill adopted by the Oklahoma Legislature May 19, life begins at fertilization. “If…
It’s time to stop the insanity that is killing public education
I am the child of a public schoolteacher. I am the parent of a son who has been a public schoolteacher and who remains a private instructor in a public high school. Many dear friends are public schoolteachers. As a…
It’s not just the SBC banning Critical Race Theory; now state legislatures are joining the fight
Southern Baptist seminary presidents aren’t the only ones up in arms about Critical Race Theory. Their affirmation that the six SBC seminaries will not teach about systemic racism and inherent injustices is sweeping Republican-led state legislatures this year. Bills in…
As state legislative sessions come to an end, anti-abortion bills are rising to the top
Some of the most restrictive anti-abortion bills in recent history have made their way through state legislatures this session, with at least five states already passing bills considered near-total bans on abortion. Many of the bills already passed or on…