Senate panel approves Sarah Stitt Acts
The Senate Public Safety Committee has approved a measure to better prepare inmates rejoining society and the workforce.
Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, is the Senate principal author of House Bill 1679, the “Sarah Stitt Act,” by Reps. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, and Brian Hill, R-Mustang.
Weaver, a career law enforcement officer, said the measure is a compassionate approach for those who have served their time and want to turn a new leaf. The measure would require the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) to identify inmates leaving custody within nine months of release and begin gathering documentation essential to helping them find employment after they leave prison.
“First Lady Sarah Stitt saw a gap in the process that can impede an individual’s ability to get a job, a place to live or any other number of things most of us take for granted. This includes things like a four-year state ID card, Social Security card, birth certificates, vocational training and work records, and resumes,” Weaver said. “These are basic tools which can reduce recidivism, save taxpayer dollars and help former inmates successfully transition back into their communities.”
HB 1679 now moves to the Senate Appropriations committee for further consideration.
Federalism resolution adopted by state Senate
In an effort to clearly define the roles of both the state and federal government, the full Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 on Monday.
Authored by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, the resolution renews the state Legislature’s commitment to preserving and reasserting its powers and authority over the responsibilities granted to states under the U.S. Constitution as specifically protected by the 10th Amendment.
It also urges the Oklahoma federal delegation to support the Constitution and limit federal action to only those areas granted to the federal government, reserving all other areas of action to the state.
The resolution calls for the creation of a National Federalism Task Force to convene a series of federalism summits to develop plans for restoring and maintaining divisions in the powers, roles and responsibilities of the general government and the states.
“SCR 6 is a first step toward pushing back against the federal government’s overreach,” said Bergstrom. “The Oklahoma State Legislature is calling upon all other states whose leaders desire to protect their state’s powers, citizens’ rights and governing voice to participate in a task force to develop plans for restoring appropriate divisions of powers and roles between the states and federal government.
“We must push back on Washington’s encroachment of the authority rightly belonging to Oklahoma and other states in the Union.”
Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, is the House author for the measure.
Senate committee votes to protect aging residents
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously approved legislation Monday afternoon to better protect the health of residents in long-term care and assisted living centers.
House Bill 1877, by Sen. Bill Coleman, R-Ponca City, creates new procedures to further slow the overprescribing of antipsychotic drugs to elderly Oklahomans in such facilities.
“Similar legislation was passed two years ago to address the overprescribing of antipsychotic drugs in nursing homes, which led to a significant drop in their misuse in those facilities. This bill will extend those protections to long-term care and assisted living centers to ensure all of Oklahoma’s seniors are protected,” Coleman said. “This will ensure that a resident’s family is told when their loved one is prescribed these types of drugs and know of any adverse reactions, so they can make informed decisions about their care moving forward.”
Under HB 1877, patients who are categorized as needing medical assistance and have been prescribed an antipsychotic must be monitored quarterly for adverse effects and that they or their representative remain informed of their condition. It also requires staff to be trained to be aware of the side effects of antipsychotic use. The bill also puts into place documentation standards for the use of antipsychotics “as needed” to help deter abuse.
Antipsychotics are used to reduce agitation and other disruptive behaviors, which are often symptoms of underlying illnesses or conditions that, without a proper medical diagnosis, may go untreated. These drugs are often prescribed to patients with dementia, and numerous studies have found that their use can contribute to accelerated cognitive decline and an increased risk of stroke, pneumonia and death.
A 2019 report by the House Ways and Means Committee Majority found that while only about 2% of skilled nursing facility residents in the U.S. qualified for an antipsychotic prescription, some 20% of residents were receiving the drugs.
The measure is supported by the American Association of Retired Persons Oklahoma, Oklahoma Assisted Living Association, Alzheimer’s Association of Oklahoma, LeadingAge Oklahoma, Oklahoma Aging Partnership, Oklahoma Silver Haired Legislature and the State Long-term Care Ombudsman.
HB 1877 will next be considered by the full Senate.