OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, on Thursday held a public meeting to discuss allegations of abuse in Oklahoma prisons. Humphrey chairs the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee. Speaking at the meeting were Bobby Cleveland, director of the Oklahoma Correctional Professionals; Emily Barnes with Hooked on Justice; Egypt, a child advocate for Let our Fathers Go; and multiple family members of individuals incarcerated in Oklahoma prisons. "I wanted to give loved ones and other advocates of change a chance to tell their stories in an open forum," Humphrey said. "I get calls every day about rapes, beatings, deaths and deplorable conditions in our state correction facilities. I'm asking everyone to document their experiences so we can present hard evidence and improve conditions for prisoners and staff." Humphrey for months has called for changes in Oklahoma Department of Corrections' facilities. He's held multiple meetings and sent letters and packets of documentation to DOC and other law enforcement oversight agencies asking for investigations of complaints. He's also called attention to several lawsuits filed against DOC involving inhuman treatment of prisoners as well as wrongful termination of employees. Speakers talked about all of the issues Humphrey mentioned as well as lack of access to medical care and mental health treatment among other issues. They are asking for greater accountability, transparency and meaningful reform. Humphrey said he'll continue to collect evidence and hold meetings until he sees improvements.
A few Oklahoma Republican legislators released the following statements in response to the Biden Administration's new Title IX protections for "gender identity." Earlier this month, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona announced the new Title IX rules. Under the new regulations, sex discrimination includes discrimination based on "gender identity" as well as sexual orientation. The regulations take effect Aug. 1. "We must prioritize the well-being of Oklahoma's children and explore all options to replace federal funds tied to Title IX," Maynard said. "Oklahoma has the money to replace federal funding in our schools, and we must consider all possible avenues to protect our children. We cannot allow the Biden Administration's radical policies to dictate education in Oklahoma." The issues for Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, Rep. Chris Banning, R-Bixby, and Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, who are against the changes revolve around the ideology behind gender identity and sexual orientation and the infringement upon spaces traditionally reserved for males and females, such as school bathrooms, locker rooms and sports teams, among others. "For three years, I have sounded the trumpet that not only is federal funding of state education unconstitutional but it is also a bad idea," Bullard said. "This is exactly why. The liberals have been threatening to defund our schools in cruel and unusual ways. The state of Oklahoma must have a plan on how we will replace these funds so we cannot be manipulated into doing that which we cannot morally do." The ultimate penalty for non-compliance with Title IX regulations is the withdrawal of federal funds. Therefore, the Republican legislators said, all options are on the table when it comes to protecting the innocence of Oklahoman children. "Given that Title IX regulations now include gender identity and sexual orientation, failure to comply may result in the withdrawal of federal funds," Banning said. "In protecting our values and supporting our children, we must oppose Biden, whose administration clearly contradicts Oklahoma's values." “We must stand by Oklahoma children and safeguard our state’s values,” Hamilton said. “Tying school funding to ideologies relating to gender identity and sexual orientation does not align with our values. I am confident our state can find innovative ways to replace federal funding to ensure our students are not subjected to these principles.” Title IX prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs and activities at schools and colleges that receive federal funds. This law has provided many girls and women opportunities to compete in sports and to earn scholarships to attend high schools and colleges.
Rep. John George, R-Newalla, on Thursday secured passage of legislation that will ensure a prompt and coordinated response from law enforcement in the event of a child abduction. Senate Bill 1407 would authorize the Department of Public Safety to establish and oversee the Oklahoma Child Abduction Response Teams (OCARTS) in collaboration with federal, state, tribal, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies, along with relevant social services entities. These teams would work collectively to rapidly respond to verified child abductions. "This legislation not only solidifies in statute the highly successful Oklahoma child abduction teams but also signifies a proactive approach to locating missing children quickly," George said. "The safety and well-being of our children are of utmost importance; we must mobilize every resource and effort available to ensure their safe and immediate return when they go missing." Under the measure, OCARTS will develop coordinated response plans for verified child abductions, ensuring efficient verification procedures, notifications, and outreach to local law enforcement. Law enforcement agencies will have the authority to utilize automated license plate readers to aid in coordinated responses to verified child abductions. SB1407 passed the House unanimously and now returns to the Senate, where its author is Sen. Roger Thompson, R-Okemah.