Representative Jim Olsen

Hi, I'm Jim Olsen and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 2nd District.


representative

News & Announcements


Feb 28, 2023
Recent Posts

House Prohibits Gender Transition Services for Minors

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation prohibiting gender transition services for minors was approved Tuesday by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. House Bill 2177, authored by Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore, and Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, prohibits health care professionals from providing, attempting to provide or providing a referral for puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and gender reassignment surgeries for minors. "This legislation is about protecting our children from those who would seek to profit from their gender confusion," West said. "As a state, we must not be partner to irreversible health practices that permanently change the bodies of our children before they are of an age where they can fully understand the consequences of their decisions." HB2177 allows exceptions for minors with a medically verifiable disorder. The bill prohibits insurance coverage for gender transition services performed within the state on any minor or adult. "Common sense tells us that the decisions people make as a teenager may be shortsighted and later regretted, especially in regard to a major action like these irreversible procedures," Olsen said. "Even one child who undergoes a life-altering procedure and later laments their decision is one too many. I'm proud to stand against these reprehensible actions and proud to protect Oklahoma's children." The measure, which would go into effect immediately upon being signed, grants a six-month time period to taper off any minor currently on hormone therapy. HB2177 passed the House 80-18 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.



Feb 7, 2023

Legislators, Pro-Life Organizations Defend Oklahoma's Abortion Laws

OKLAHOMA CITY – Today a bicameral group of legislators, together with numerous pro-life organizations, released the following statement in support of Oklahoma's current abortion laws. "Oklahoma is blessed to have the most comprehensive laws in the country to protect our unborn babies. We intend to defend our current laws as they stand, with the only allowed exception being to save the life of the mother. There is nothing more important than defending innocent life. The push to allow exceptions may come across as rooted in compassion for difficult circumstances, but at the end of the day, any additional exceptions would only take away innocent lives. There is no gray area when the issue is defending life. Each and every child has a right to life." The above statement is supported by the following legislators and organizations: Rep. Chris Banning (R-Bixby) Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) Rep. Eddy Dempsey (R-Valliant) Rep. Collin Duel (R-Guthrie) Rep. Tom Gann (R-Inola) Rep. David Hardin (R-Stilwell) Rep. Justin Humphrey (R-Lane) Rep. John Kane (R-Bartlesville) Rep. Cody Maynard (R-Durant) Rep. Jim Olsen (R-Roland) Rep. Randy Randleman (R-Eufaula) Rep. Clay Staires (R-Skiatook) Rep. Kevin West (R-Moore) Rep. Rick West (R-Heavener) Rep. Danny Williams (R-Seminole) Rep. Max Wolfley (R-Oklahoma City) Sen. Micheal Bergstrom (R-Adair) Sen. David Bullard (R-Durant) Sen. George Burns (R-Pollard) Sen. Nathan Dahm (R-Broken Arrow) Sen. Warren Hamilton (R-McCurtain) Sen. Shane Jett (R-Shawnee) Sen. Roland Pederson (R-Burlington) Sen. Blake Stephens (R-Tahlequah) Students for Life Action OCPAC City Elders Oklahoma Second Amendment Association  The First Session of the 59th Legislature began Monday, February 6.



Dec 1, 2022

Bill Filed Prohibiting Gender Transition Procedures for Young People

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Rep. Jim Olsen Phone: (405) 557-7315 Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, filed legislation to prohibit health care professionals from providing gender transition services to people under the age of 21. House Bill 1011 prohibits health care professionals from providing, attempting to provide or providing a referral for puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and gender reassignment surgeries for healthy people under the age of 21. ""It's irresponsible for anybody in health care to provide or recommend life-altering surgeries that may later be regretted,"" Olsen said. ""We know there are some people who undergo the gender transition process and later identify as their biological sex. Performing irreversible procedures on young people can do irreparable harm to them mentally and physically later in life."" Health care professionals found in violation of the law would face a felony charge with a fine of up to $100,000, a 10-year sentence, or both, as well as license revocation by the appropriate licensing board. Additionally, the bill provides grounds for potential civil action brought by any person. The bill states that civil liability and criminal charges may be initiated until the victim turns 45. HB1011 also prohibits public funds from going toward any organization providing gender transition procedures to someone under 21. The bill includes exceptions to address medically diagnosed genetic anomalies, mutations or sexual development disorders. The legislative session begins Feb. 6, 2023. "