The Oklahoma Senate passed House Bill 1805 on Tuesday, a measure that will affect the retirement benefits of licensed emergency medical personnel employed by the state. The measure, authored by Rep. Neil Hays, designates licensed emergency medical personnel hired on or after November 1, 2023, as hazardous duty members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS). "Emergency medical personnel are designated hazardous duty members of the retirement system under this legislation," Hays said. "The goal is to support emergency workers, ensuring they receive enhanced retirement benefits and increased contributions, which more accurately aligns with the hazardous nature of their occupation." Qualifying emergency medical personnel includes emergency medical responders, technicians and paramedics working for a participating OPERS employer. Under HB1805, hazardous duty members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) receive increased retirement and pension benefits than non-hazardous duty employees. Specifically, employees contribute 8% of their compensation toward their retirement benefits, while employers contribute at a higher rate of 16.5%. After completing 20 years of service, members can receive full, unreduced retirement benefits. Retirement benefits are calculated using a multiplier of 2.5% per year for the first 20 years of service and a 2% per year multiplier for service exceeding 20 years. Sen. Murdock, R-Felt, carried the measure in the Senate, which passed 41 – 0. It now moves to the Governor's desk for consideration.
During the 2024 Oklahoma Outstanding Child Abuse Prevention Awards at the State Capitol on Tuesday, Rep. John Talley, R-Stillwater, was named the 2024 Outstanding Elected Official by the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH). "I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Oklahoma Department of Health," Talley said. "Protecting our children and supporting vulnerable families has been a cornerstone of my work as an elected official. I am committed to continuing my mission to ensure every child in Oklahoma grows up in a safe and nurturing environment." Talley, who serves as chair of the House Children, Youth and Family Services Committee, is the director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for North Central Oklahoma. He has also worked as an ordained minister since 1978. Every year, the 2024 Outstanding Child Abuse Prevention Awards recognize outstanding efforts of organizations, individuals, groups, activities or events that promote safe, stable and nurturing environments and relationships for Oklahoma’s children.
The Oklahoma House of Representatives on Tuesday approved legislation restricting online access to pornography for people under the age of 18. Senate Bill 1959, which is authored in the House by Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, holds commercial entities accountable for knowingly distributing obscene material or material promoting child pornography on the internet. "Right now, pornography is easily accessible to kids of all ages through practically any device that has internet access," Hasenbeck said. "With Senate Bill 1959, we can close the current loopholes that grant children access to inappropriate materials." It mandates that such entities must compensate individuals for damages and provide mechanisms for subscribers to block access to harmful content. Additionally, entities employing reasonable age verification methods are exempt from liability. SB1959 also allows the Attorney General to seek injunctions against non-compliant entities. The measure is authored by Sen. Jerry Alvord, R-Wilson. "This legislation is something I am very proud to have authored," Alvord said. "This bill has been carried by my colleague Rep. Toni Hasenbeck in the House. Her support and true concern for passing this child protection bill has been truly impressive. There have been many talented people working behind the scenes to make this happen." The measure passed the House 79-13 and now moves to the governor's desk for consideration. If signed into law, SB1959 would take effect Nov. 1.