House Media

Rep. Erick Harris, R-Edmond, today praised the $10 million appropriation to expand the University of Central Oklahoma's Forensic Science Institute. The funding is included in House Bill 2766 , the Fiscal Year 2026 general appropriations bill, and will be distributed by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education (OSRHE).  "I was proud to have the opportunity to work with my colleagues in the Edmond delegation and our friends at UCO to secure this additional funding," Harris said. "The support of this investment reaffirms what we already know: that the Forensic Science Institute plays a vital role serving our communities, supporting law enforcement and public safety, training Oklahoma's students and advancing the field of study. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will have on the future of justice in Oklahoma and beyond." The UCO FSI, which opened in 2009, trains students for careers in local, state, tribal and federal law enforcement. UCO FSI is home to more than 1,000 students and nine degree programs, including bachelor's degrees in Forensic Investigations, Digital Forensics, Forensic Molecular Biology and Forensic Chemistry. UCO President Todd G. Lamb praised the $10 million appropriation toward FSI. "Without Rep. Erick Harris's leadership and ownership of this project in the House of Representatives, this critical funding to help the University of Central Oklahoma’s Forensic Science Institute meet the workforce demand for expertly trained graduates in this field would not have been realized," Lamb said. "I'm grateful to Rep. Harris, the Edmond delegation and the Oklahoma Legislature for their support. The UCO Forensic Science Institute at the University of Central Oklahoma is a national leader in forensic science education, uniquely positioned to serve and support federal, state and local law enforcement agencies by educating and training outstanding forensic scientists. UCO is now closer to realizing the complete vision for the Forensic Science Institute because of the $10 million in new funding for necessary expansion." The $10 million appropriation will support the expansion of the Evidence Recovery Bay and Chemistry Teaching and Instrumentation Labs. The Evidence Recovery Bay is used in courses like Crime Scene Processing, Crime Scene Photography and Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, but the bay does not have the capacity to meet student demand. Funding will also be used toward a dedicated chemistry teaching and research lab onsite. Currently, FSI is partnered with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to use its chemistry lab facilities as available.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, the vice chair of the House Public Safety Committee, today sent a letter to Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Department of Human Services Director Jeffrey Cartmell demanding action in a child protection case that is reported to involve the removal of a child from his biological family and placement with a same-sex couple one of whom was alleged to have been arrested twice on child molestation charges. In the letter, Humphrey references an article by an independent media outlet, in which a child was reportedly taken from his mother who is said to have checked herself into rehab while pregnant. "The mother recognized her addictions and took appropriate steps to ensure the safety of her baby, so Child Protective Services should never have been involved," Humphrey said. "The parents complied with all reunification requirements, yet the Department of Human Services illegally withheld their child from his parents." Humphrey also questioned why the department's policy of placing children with close relatives was not followed. He said the father's brother requested to take the child, appearing to be the perfect placement. "He had his own business, a steady income, stable children, and seemed to meet every other conceivable requirement," he wrote. Humphrey said instead the child was placed with a same-sex couple, one of whom reportedly had previously been indicted by a grand jury for sexual contact with a child under 12. Humphrey calls the action by DHS "kidnapping." He said he's reported a similar case of a child taken from a Johnson County couple. Humphrey said he provided a two-hour hearing revealing evidence of the abuse. He's requested a multi-county grand jury based on numerous reports of corruption, but said he's been ignored by DHS and the attorney general. The full letter can be read here . 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Children of longtime public school teachers will now qualify for the Oklahoma Promise Scholarship as long as household income is under 700% of the federal poverty level. House Speaker Pro Tempore Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, authored  House Bill 1727 , which expands the scholarship to include children of all educators who are considered in statute as full-time certified teachers who have taught for at least 10 years in Oklahoma public schools. The years do not have to be consecutive or in the same school. The new law becomes effective July 1.  "This legislation has so many positives," Moore said. "It removes financial barriers, allowing more Oklahoma graduates to go onto higher learning at a lessened cost. It will help with recruitment and retention of teachers. It will incentivize teachers who are alternately or emergency certified to become fully certified and will help us keep those teachers in the classroom longer. It also should increase retention of longtime certified teachers, showing them the value we place on their dedication and expertise." Moore said it's known that students of educators become teachers at a higher rate than other students. This could keep them in Oklahoma for college, making it more likely they will stay here to live, work and raise a family, also while increasing volume in our teacher pipeline.  "This builds on the work the Legislature has done the last few years to improve working conditions for Oklahoma teachers, increasing their pay and benefits, and our efforts to improve academic outcomes for students," he said. The Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP), better known as Oklahoma's Promise, allows students who meet certain income, academic and conduct requirements to earn a college or vocational-technology tuition scholarship. It was created in 1992 by the Legislature to help more Oklahoma families send their children to college. The program is administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. House Bill 1727 was signed into law by the governor on June 10.