Effective Nov. 1, 2018: 20 new laws in Oklahoma
Thursday, Nov. 1, means a slew of new laws taking effect across the state.
An important change comes in Senate Bill 1446, which places limits on the number of opioid pills that physicians can prescribe and puts in place safeguards to help curb the potential for opioid abuse.Â
One new law was signed in amid controversy, as SB 1140 will allow private adoption agencies to refuse some child placements based on the agencies' religious beliefs.
Overview on what's on the Oklahoma ballot for the 2018 General Election: Click here for a little about candidates.
What the five state questions on the Nov. 6 ballot mean in plain English: Click here to learn more about the five state questions.
Keep reading to learn more about 20 noteworthy new laws now in effect in Oklahoma.
(If you came from Google and can't see the text with the images, click here.)
SB1303 by Sen. Eddie Fields, R-Wynona, and Rep. Chad Caldwell, R-Enid
The bill permits the use of debit cards to purchase lottery tickets. Previously only cash was accepted.
HB1124, by Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Depew and Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow
The bill creates the Justice for Danyelle Act of 2018. It adds the residence of a victim of a sex crime to the zone of safety in which a sex offender is not permitted to live. It also prohibits a person from loitering within 1,000 feet of the residence of his or her victim if the person who committed a sex crime against the victim has been convicted of the crime, and the person is required to register pursuant to the Sex Offenders Registration Act.
SB1091, by Sen. Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City and Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
The bill removes the authority of district attorneys to seek enhancement of certain penalties for driving under the influence.
SB1005 by Sen. A.J. Griffin, R-Guthrie and Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City
The bill establishes new sodomy and rape felonies for sex acts committed upon a person who is at least 16 but less than 18 years of age by a person responsible for the child's health, safety or welfare, including, but not limited to a parent, legal guardian, custodian, foster parent, a person eighteen 18 years of age or older with whom the child's parent cohabitates, any other adult residing in the home of the child, an agent or employee of a public or private residential home, institution, facility or day treatment program or an owner, operator or employee of a child care facility. It makes it a felony to, in a lewd and lascivious manner, force or require a child to defecate or urinate upon the body or private parts of another, or for the purpose of sexual gratification. It establishes circumstances for a minor to be taken into emergency and/or protective custody.
SB0980, by Sen. A.J. Griffin, R-Guthrie and Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon
The bill creates and establishes qualifications for an initial teaching certificate, a career teaching certificate, a mentor teaching certificate and a lead teaching certificate. A mentor teacher shall receive an annual salary supplement of at least $3,000. A lead teacher shall receive an annual salary supplement of at least $5,000. Here, Tulsa fourth-grade teacher Chisa Chapman (left) gets a high-five from instructional mentor Misty Gerber.
HB3131, by Rep. Greg Babinec, R-Cushing and Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt
The bill changes a requirement that the Oklahoma Highway Patrol's vehicles be black and white to the option of black or white squad.
HB2997, by Rep. Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City and Sen. J.J. Dossett, D-Sperry
The bill designates the red-tailed hawk as the state raptor of Oklahoma.
HB2259, by Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee and Sen. Ron Sharp, R-Shawnee
The bill specifies that teachers of children under the age of 18 are mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse or neglect. It requires reports by teachers and students, 18 years or older, who suspect a child is being abused or neglected be submitted immediately.
Overview on what's on the Oklahoma ballot for the 2018 General Election
Click here for a little about candidates in the elections that will show up on the ballot on Nov. 6.
What the five state questions on the Nov. 6 ballot mean in plain English
At issue are an initial seven-day limit on opioid prescriptions and reporting requirements for higher dosages.