Oklahoma's 2023 Legislative Session Starts Monday, February 6
The 2023 legislative session is now underway in Oklahoma. We have identified 26 bills we oppose and 23 bills that we will fight like hell to see passed. As always- your help makes a huge difference.
The Oklahoma legislature has proposed 26 bills that we deem unjust and unethical, and 23 bills that we believe can improve the lives and bolster the freedom of Oklahomans. We are perusing a more just and healthier Oklahoma- your help makes a huge difference.
Here are the bills we support:
Senate Bills
90-Requiring establishment of electronic voter registration website
92-requiring development of a system for automatic voter registration
124-modifying procedures for marking and return of ballots for certain persons
104-creating the Oklahoma Commission on Race and Equality
163-Increasing the minimum wage to $13.00/hr.
176-Making hygiene products available in school restrooms at no cost.
368-Protects Contraceptives Access.
382-Sales tax exemption for orgs purchasing and distributing period products.
399-Maternal Mortality Review Committee; Removal of a position doing in home visitation.
568-Eliminates straight party voting
784-Adds stable housing and home visitation programs to the Choosing Childbirth Act.
House Bills
1629-Circumstances in which those with a felony are eligible to vote
1639-SHELL BILL; this is a shell bill (no language or description available) that we have reason to believe could be used to advance survivor justice.
1902-authorizing absentee voter to cast provisional ballot.
2117- Pharmacies Prescribe contraceptives with the exception of IUDs.
2118-"The curriculum, materials, classes, programs, tests, surveys, or questionnaires shall include information about state laws and criminal penalties including, but not limited to:
1. Age of consent for sexual intercourse;
2. Child pornography and disseminating nude photographs; and
3. Nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images.
2119-Adds nondiscrimination protections for gender identity and expression as well as sexuality.
2421-Extends the amount of time to 6pm instead of 2pm for in person absentee voting.
2342-Repealer for the arbitrary requirement to publish name change
2343-decriminalization of HIV, AIDS, and other infectious diseases
2344-Elections; establishing procedures for voters with a disability to request ballot; providing for ballot and balloting materials to be sent via electronic transmission.
2511- Adds requirements for reporting autopsies for the Maternal Mortality Review Act.
House Joint Resolution 1044- Constitutional amendment; reproductive freedom
Bills we oppose:
Senate Bills
95–prohibiting school districts and charter schools from providing certain material to students without written consent from parent/guardian.
256-CPC funding for ultrasounds; from general revenue fund in the amount 1.75 million
287-Abortion; removing certain restriction on prosecution; prosecution of pregnant people will occur if passed.
292- Syphillis testing for spontaneous miscarriages or stillbirths; requiring blood test.
402- Abortion; creating the Prenatal Equal Protection Act; modifying applicability of certain crimes and punishments. Personhood.
538-Provides detail on reimburseable services for private organizations who receive grants through the Choosing Childbirth Act.
656- Creates the Paternal Responsibility Act.
731-Modifies definition of abortion to remove exceptions.
757-Subject to availability of funding, there is hereby created within the State Department of Health a continuum of care program for certain pregnant women ;The purpose of the program is to facilitate the operation of a statewide telecare support network that provides community outreach, consultations, and care coordination for women who are challenged with unexpected pregnancies.”
829-Written consent for administration of contraceptives to students; no family planning counseling.
834-Clarifying abortion exceptions. Sill doesn’t give enough guidance as to when doctors can perform an abortion.
866-Amends Parents Bill of Rights- Written consent for sex education; requiring written consent from a parent or guardian for a child to participate in certain instruction or activities; prohibiting a student from being required to participate in certain school counselor-led course or certain activities which discuss sexual orientation and gender identity
884-requires up to 2 years of mental health treatment for DV survivors charged with child neglect/abuse/failure to protect and if they don't agree, they will get sent to prison
916-”Pre-birth certificates” granted when first fetal cardiac activity is recorded.
936-Bans non-therapeutic research on embryos.
992- Provides and avenue for people to claim "unborn" children as an exemption on taxes
House Bills
1369-Changes the definition of child neglect to "access" to prescription drugs and other drugs that aren't prescribed for the child.
1780-Removes sex education curriculum from public schools.
2088-Includes language for fetal anomalies exception to abortion ban.
2546-"Classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity shall not occur in kindergarten through grade five or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students."
2634-”Pro-Life Care; Pro-Life Initiative Act” SHELL BILL; NO LANGUAGE YET
2635-”Pro-Life Care; Pro-Life Initiative Act” SHELL BILL; NO LANGUAGE YET
2636-”Pro-Life Care; Pro-Life Initiative Act” SHELL BILL; NO LANGUAGE YET
1012-(Joint Resolution) Oklahoma Constitution; Oklahoma Abortion Law Act of 2023; ballot title; filing.; SHELL BILL; NO LANGUAGE YET
1013- (Joint Resolution) Oklahoma Constitution; Oklahoma Abortion Law Act of 2023; ballot title; filing.; SHELL BILL; NO LANGUAGE YET
We know there are over 50+ attacks on our LGBTQIA+ family and especially targeting our trans siblings. We are following the lead of Freedom Oklahoma and you can find their tracker here. We will also be working with the ACLU of Oklahoma and you can find their tracker here.
Passing legislation is a process, and we intend to bring you with us for every step of that process. Here’s a quick preview of what to expect as an advocate for reproductive justice this year:
Stay tuned to our email newsletter and our social media channels for rapid response items on legislative votes and actions like phone calls, emails, and community advocacy at the Capitol. Lawmakers are only required to give little notice before a vote. The process can move fast, so please be ready for quick actions like contacting lawmakers and reaching out to your networks and asking them to take action.
Be ready to activate your personal network, and show up for our community partners when they have events at the capitol. It is going to take all of us to show up and fight for better policy in Oklahoma.
Making contact with a lawmaker is like shining a light on an issue. It matters so please be ready to write quick emails to legislative targets and make phone calls asking for specific votes; advocate alongside our communities at the capitol; and encourage your friends and family to join the fight too. Here is a handy primer on what to know when contacting a legislator.
Calls to action:
Because the Oklahoma Legislature does not allow for public comment at legislative committee hearings, If you have abortion stories you would like for a friendly legislator to read during floor debates, anonymous or signed, please fill out this form.
Follow community do-gooders ACLU of Oklahoma, Freedom Oklahoma, Tulsa Intersectional Care Network, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, Trust Women, Roe Fund of Oklahoma, Community Solidarity OKC, OU Students for Reproductive Justice, Oklahoma Harm Reduction Alliance, Oklahoma Appleseed, Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice, OK Survivor Justice Coalition, Sisu Youth Services, OKC-DSA, Period OKC, Ikiya Collective, Terence Crutcher Foundation, and Block Builderz, Foundation for Liberating Minds, Still She Rises, and you won’t be disappointed!
Passing legislation is a process, and we intend to bring you with us for every step of that process.