2011 Legislative Priorities

8/7/2019 2011 Legislative Priorities

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3701A S. Harvard Ave., #183 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135 918.671.3733 [email protected]

www.theequalitynetwork.org

An Oklahoma Where Everyone is Equal

The Equality Networks 2011 Legislative Priorities

April 27, 2011 update

ACTIVE BILLS

Non-Discrimination

SB 763(Senator Clark Jolley, Reps. Dan Sullivan, Mike Reynolds, and Mike Ritze)

Creates within the Office of the Attorney General an Office of Civil Rights

Enforcement that assumes all duties and responsibilities of the OklahomaHuman Rights Commission.

TEN OPPOSES this bill.

Legislative History

On February 15, Senate Judiciary Committee votes do pass; referred

to Senate Appropriations Committee.

Dan Sullivan added as principal House co-author.

On March 7, Senate Appropriations Committee votes do pass.

On March 7, bills title is stricken.

On March 15, Senate votes37-9in favor of SB 763. On March 16, engrossed to House.

On April 5, committee substitute voted do pass by House Judiciary

Committee.

On April 5, title restored.

On April 19, House votes61-32in favor of SB 763; referred for

engrossment.

On April 19, Mike Reynolds and Mike Ritze added as House co-

authors.

On April 20, engrossed to Senate; House amendments read.

Current Status: Awaiting Senate vote.

SB 837(Senator Clark Jolley, Rep. Dan Sullivan)

Adds genetic information and disability (in place of handicap) to protected

categories.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/52701258/SB763http://www.scribd.com/doc/52701258/SB763http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/Senate/SB763_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/Senate/SB763_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/Senate/SB763_VOTES.HTMhttp://newlsb.lsb.state.ok.us/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB763&Session=1100http://newlsb.lsb.state.ok.us/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB763&Session=1100http://newlsb.lsb.state.ok.us/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB763&Session=1100http://www.scribd.com/doc/48537167/sb837-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537167/sb837-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537167/sb837-inthttp://newlsb.lsb.state.ok.us/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=SB763&Session=1100http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/Senate/SB763_VOTES.HTMhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/52701258/SB763


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Deletes references to federal equal employment opportunity laws (Section 1,amending 25 O.S. 1101).

Eliminates 15-person threshold for definition of employer; makes any legal

entity that pays one or more individual a salary or wages for work an

employer. (Section 2, amending 25 O.S. 1301: Definitions).

Creates exclusion for bona fide membership clubs. Current statute is limited

to non-profit membership clubs. New law would make it okay to have all

male clubs, all white clubs, all WASP clubs

Changes the definition of employee to exclude independent contractors.

Thus, it would be permissible for an employer not to hire an independent

contractor on the basis of race, sex, pregnancy, age, etc.

Modernizes language to be consistent with federal Americans with

Disabilities Act (Section 3, amending 25 O.S. 1302).

Creates new law impeding complaint-filing process and limiting damages.

(Section 11, creating 25 O.S. 1350).

TEN OPPOSES this bill.

Legislative History:

On February 28, 2011, Senate Judiciary Committee voted do pass. Rep. Dan Sullivan added as principal House author.

On March 8, 2011, full Senate voted44-0to pass SB 837 and send it

to the House.

On March 9, 2011, SB 837 given First Reading in House.

On March 16, 2011, SB 837 given Second Reading in the House,

assigned to House Judiciary Committee.

On April 5, House Judiciary Committee votes do pass on committee

substitute for SB 837.

On April 19, full House votes59-32in favor of amended SB 837;

referred for engrossment.

On April 20, assigned to Senate; house amendments read.

Current Status: Awaiting Senate action.

Anti-Bullying
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/Senate/SB837_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/Senate/SB837_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/Senate/SB837_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/House/SB837_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/House/SB837_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/House/SB837_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/House/SB837_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/Senate/SB837_VOTES.HTM


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HB 1461(Reps. Lee Denney, Jeannie McDaniel, and Ben Sherrer; Senator James

Halligan)

Expands definitions of behaviors classified as bullying.

Adds cyber-bullying to categories of prohibited harassment.

Requires all Oklahoma school districts to adopt anti-bullying policies and to

report incidents of bullying to state educational authorities on a regular basis.

Strengthens procedures for identifying, reporting, and disciplining incidents of

bullying occurring on public school property or during official school hours.

Requires training for bullying prevention and response.

Expands the role of local Safe Schools committees in identifying incidents of

bullying and recommending preventative strategies for combating bullying.

TEN is NEUTRAL on this bill.

Legislative History:

On February 22, 2011, HB 1461 was heard by the House Common

Education committee

Rep. Jason Nelson introduced an amendment that deleted language

enumerating characteristics that could be perceived as justifications for

harassment or bullying. Amendment passed 15-1. Committee voted 16-0 do pass on amended version.

Bill moved to full House with Jeanne McDaniel added as House co-

author; James Halligan added as principal Senate author.

Lee Denney submitted committee substitute that expands definition of

school bullying to encompass episodes of harassment occurring while

a student is going to or returning from school. Jason Nelson introduced

floor amendment making this change.

On March 8, 2011, Oklahoma House of Representatives voted74-23

to send amended HB 1461 to the Senate.

On March 8, 2011, Rep. Ben Sherrer added as House co-author

On March 9, 2011, bill given First Reading in Senate, awaiting

committee assignment.

On March 22, HB 1461 assigned to Senate Public Safety Committee;

Second Reading
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49553769/HB1461-HFLRhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/49553769/HB1461-HFLRhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/House/HB1461_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/House/HB1461_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/House/HB1461_VOTES.HTMhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/49553769/HB1461-HFLR


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On April 5, Senate Public Safety Committee adopts James Halliganscommittee substitute that dropsprovision that holds school districts

liable for failure to protect students who are victims of bullying.

Constance Johnson introduces successful amendment that adds a

provision encompassing dating violence.

Rep. Anastasia Pittman and Senator Constance Johnson added as co-

authors.

Senators Judy Eason-McIntyre and Earl Garrison added as co-authors.

On April 13, Oklahoma Senate votes43-0in favor of amended HB

1461, engrossed bill returns to House for reconsideration.

On April 25, Oklahoma House rejectsSenate amendments; HB 1461

assigned to Conference Committee on Education.

Current Status: Assigned to Conference Committee on Education

DORMANT BILLS

Anti-Bullying

SB 152(Senator Andrew Rice) Adds enumerated categories of protection to current state bullying prevention

law.



Makes school districts more accountable for failure to protect students who

are victims of bullying.






TEN SUPPORTED this bill

Current Status: Referred to Senate Education Committee; bill died in

committee.

HB 1976(Rep. Anastasia Pittman)
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/Senate/HB1461_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/Senate/HB1461_VOTES.HTMhttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/Senate/HB1461_VOTES.HTMhttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537158/sb152-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537158/sb152-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537154/hb1976-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537154/hb1976-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537154/hb1976-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537158/sb152-inthttp://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf/2011-12%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/votes/Senate/HB1461_VOTES.HTM


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Adds enumerated categories of protection to current state bullying preventionlaw.



Makes school districts more accountable for failure to protect students who

are victims of bullying.







Current Status: Referred to House Common Education Committee; bill died

in committee.

Hate Crimes

SB 265(Senator Andrew Rice)

Adds sexual orientation and gender identity to categories protected under

state hate crimes law (21 O.S. 2001, Section 850). Strengthens penalties for first-time hate crimes offenses.

Explicitly protects freedom of speech and religious expression.

TEN SUPPORTS this bill

Current Status: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee and Senate

Appropriations Committee

HB 1845(Rep. Mike Shelton)

Adds sexual orientation and gender identity to categories protected under

state hate crimes law (21 O.S. 2001, Section 850).

Strengthens penalties for first-time hate crimes offenses.TEN SUPPORTED this bill

Current Status: Referred to House Rules Committee; bill died in committee.

Judicial Bias

HB 1611(Rep. Mike Reynolds)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/48537161/sb265-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537161/sb265-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537153/hb1845-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537153/hb1845-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537152/hb1611-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537152/hb1611-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537152/hb1611-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537153/hb1845-inthttp://www.scribd.com/doc/48537161/sb265-int


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Creates a Judicial Code of Conduct; reiterates the necessity of an impartialJudiciary.

Calls for judges and other judicial employees to perform their duties without

bias or prejudice on the bases of race, sex, religion, national origin, disability,

age, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.

Limits the venues in which a presiding judge may simultaneously practice law

independently.


Current Status: Referred to House Judiciary Committee; bill died in

committee.

2011 Legislative Priorities

Documents

Transcript of 2011 Legislative Priorities