Representative Preston Stinson

R

District 96

Hi, I’m Preston Stinson and I represent the people of Oklahoma’s 96th District.


representative

Leadership

Assistant Majority Whip

59th Legislature

News & Announcements

May 20, 2025
Recent Posts

Governor Allows Emerson Kate Cole Act to Become Law

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill aimed at improving emergency response to severe allergic reactions in schools has now become law in Oklahoma and will take effect later this summer. House Bill 2047 , authored by Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond and also known as the Emerson Kate Cole Act, requires public schools to call 911 immediately when epinephrine is administered to a student and mandates annual training for school staff on recognizing anaphylaxis, understanding food allergies and properly using epinephrine. “Parents deserve to know that if their child experiences a severe allergic reaction at school, the adults around them will know what to do and act quickly,” Stinson said. “This law is a step forward in protecting Oklahoma students and honoring Emerson’s memory.” The bill passed both chambers of the Legislature with broad bipartisan support, including a 92-0 vote in the House and a 45-0 in the Senate. It becomes law after the governor took no action within the constitutionally required timeframe, allowing it to take effect without his signature. “I want to thank my colleagues in the Legislature for standing behind this bill and for recognizing how important it is to act quickly in emergencies,” Stinson said. “Every school should be equipped and ready to respond to an allergic emergency.” The legislation was prompted by the death of Emerson Kate Cole, a ten-year-old student from Amarillo, TX, who experienced food allergy-related anaphylaxis on Jan. 17, 2023, but did not receive epinephrine. She passed away two days later. Her death sparked a push for stronger protocols to ensure timely emergency responses in schools. HB2047 allows trained school staff to administer epinephrine to any student believed to be having a severe allergic reaction, even without a prior diagnosis. It also requires schools to maintain clear emergency procedures and provide yearly training to personnel. “At the end of the day, this is about making sure there is no delay when a child’s life is on the line,” Stinson said. “Every school should be equipped and ready to respond to an allergic emergency.”

Mar 26, 2025
Recent Posts

Senate to Consider Bill Enhancing School Allergy Protocols

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill aimed at improving emergency response to severe allergic reactions in schools is moving forward in the Oklahoma Legislature. House Bill 2047 , authored by Rep. Preston Stinson, R-Edmond, would require schools to call 911 as soon as possible when epinephrine is administered to a student. The measure also mandates annual training for teachers and staff on food allergies, recognizing anaphylaxis, and properly administering epinephrine. The legislation, also known as the Emerson Kate Cole Act, is named in honor of a young girl who suffered a fatal allergic reaction at school in January 2023. Emerson Cole experienced anaphylaxis on January 17 of that year, but epinephrine was not administered. She passed away two days later. Her story has since become a call to action for stronger policies ensuring that life-saving measures are taken promptly in schools. “This bill is about making sure that when a child has a severe allergic reaction, there is no hesitation in responding,” Stinson said. “Food allergies affect millions of children nationwide, by ensuring schools have clear protocols and that staff are properly trained, we can help prevent tragedies and keep students safe." Under HB 2047, school employees could administer epinephrine for a suspected anaphylactic reaction, preventing delays in critical care for life-threatening allergies. The legislation ensures school personnel receive the training and tools needed to respond effectively in emergencies, potentially saving lives. HB2047 would standardize emergency procedures for anaphylaxis to help ensure a consistent response to allergic reactions, which can impact children nationwide. A similar bill was introduced last year as House Bill 3034 but did not make it to the Senate floor for a vote. Stinson is determined to push the measure forward this year, emphasizing the importance of protecting students who may suffer from severe allergic reactions while at school. “This bill is about giving parents peace of mind,” Stinson added. “No parent should have to worry whether their child will receive life-saving care in an emergency. With proper training and swift action, we can make Oklahoma schools safer for every student.” HB2047 passed the House floor with a unanimous vote of 92-0 and now advances to the Senate for further consideration.

Feb 12, 2025
Recent Posts

House Budget Committee Passes Resolution Approving Mental Health Consent Decree

 The House Appropriations and Budget Committee voted today to approve a consent decree between the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the plaintiffs who brought action against the state. The decree is a result of a 2023 lawsuit against ODMHSAS for violating the substantive due process rights of pretrial defendants in Oklahoma State Court proceedings who had been declared incompetent to stand trial and were awaiting competency restoration treatment. The Complaint alleges that the Department was allowing incompetent criminal defendants to endure unreasonable wait times beyond what is Constitutionally allowable for competency restoration treatment at the Oklahoma Forensic Center. The decree has been agreed to and negotiated by the Governor's office, the Office of the Attorney General and ODMHSAS. It now must be approved by the House and Senate to move forward. As part of this settlement, ODMHSAS is working with experts as well as community leadership to improve competency restoration services in the State of Oklahoma by: increased training of forensic health care professionals, reducing the number of individuals inaccurately declared incompetent, reducing the wait times to Constitutionally appropriate levels of competency restoration treatment, creating a Constitutionally appropriate, cutting edge in-jail restoration treatment program, and expanding the State’s resources including additional in-patient competency restoration beds. The agreed upon consent decree proposes a 16-month on-ramp for providing services. The state can ease into this plan under the decree, which proposes a strict five-year deadline for completion of services. "We would not choose to set policy through the courts in this way, but we feel like this consent decree is the best path forward so we can restore these competency services in a meaningful and timely way," said House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "This will ensure those who committed crimes are held accountable and victim families are allowed to see justice served, all while we are providing Oklahomans accused of a crime needed mental health services." It is anticipated implementing the decree could cost between $26-45 million, depending on how long it takes for the state to come into compliance with the requirements of the decree. "We have been assured by the Department of Mental Health that they have a plan for implementation of this decree and are hopeful it will not take the full five years to fulfill the terms needed for the department to come into compliance," said House Appropriations and Budget Chairman Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon. "In a year with declining revenue, this is not a price tag anyone in the state wants to pay, but we know this needs to get fixed quickly and we are all committed to getting this done this session." The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is statutorily obligated to provide competency evaluations and restoration treatment for persons found incompetent to stand trial in Oklahoma state court criminal proceedings. When an Oklahoma state court determines that a person is incompetent to stand trial because he or she is a "person requiring treatment", but is capable of achieving competency with treatment within a reasonable period of time, the state court must suspend the criminal proceedings and order the Department, or its designee, to provide treatment, therapy, or training calculated to allow the person to achieve competency. The Oklahoma Forensic Center is currently the only Department-operated hospital that provides secure, in-patient competency restoration treatment in Oklahoma. "This helps our state avoid the costs, uncertainties and risks of protracted litigation, likely saving the Department millions of dollars in legal fees and expenses if the case were litigated to a conclusion," said Caldwell. "This is the right thing to do and the House is committed to move this through quickly knowing time is of the essence." House Concurrent Resolution1004 passed the House Appropriations and Budget Committee unanimously and will next be considered on the House floor. -END-