First day of the OK Legislative Session is Monday, Feb. 6, 2012. This first Session convenes at Noon in the House chambers and will include the delivery of the State of the State address by Governor Fallin.
Normally, there are no committee meetings on the first day of session. However, it looks like the Senate is getting right down to business by having their Health and Human Services Committee Meeting on this busy first day. Wonder why?
Meeting Date: Monday, February 6, 2012, in Room 511-A.
Start time: Meeting starts 30″ after the State of the State Address (possibly 1:30 pm or so?).
Of initial concern are SB 1002 by Adelson, SB 1161 by Stanislawski, SB 1183 by Burrage, and SB 1433 by Crain.
In looking at Crain’s version of a “Personhood” bill – SB 1433 – there is one glaring omission: a “person” is not defined. Defining a “person” as existing from the moment of conception was the intent of last year’s HB 1571, a real “Personhood” bill, which included the following language:
“A. As used in this section only, “person” means a human being at all stages of human development of life, including the state of fertilization or conception, regardless of age, health, level of functioning, or condition of dependency.
B. All persons are created free and have inalienable rights.”
SB 1433 does not contain the above legal description and instead falls back on the “human being” and “unborn child” language; this bill does virtually nothing… one wonders what is going on here?
Meeting Details below.
MEETING NOTICE
February 2, 2012
COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SUBJECT: First Meeting
DATE: Monday, February 6, 2012
TIME: 30 Minutes After the State of the State Address
LOCATION: Room 511-A, State Capitol Building
AGENDA:
1. SB 1002 By Adelson of the Senate
Patient decision aids; creating the Empowering Patient Decision Act. Effective date.
2. SB 1010 By Brecheen of the Senate
Public assistance fraud; requiring certain sign to be posted. Effective date.
3. SB 1095 By Laster of the Senate
State Board of Examiners of Psychologists; permitting certain emergency hearings. Effective date.
4. SB 1161 By Stanislawski of the Senate
Medicaid; authorizing the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to employ program integrity auditors. Effective date.
5. SB 1183 By Burrage of the Senate
Motor vehicle reports; authorizing the Department of Human Services to obtain Motor Vehicle Reports for certain persons. Emergency.
6. SB 1433 By Crain of the Senate and Billy of the House
Unborn children; creating the Personhood Act. Effective date.
7. Other Business.
Chair: Senator Brian Crain – Phone: 405-521-5620 Email: crain@oksenate.gov
Vice-Chair: Senator Sean Burrage – Phone: 405-521-5555 Email: garlick@oksenate.gov
Senate Switchboard: 1-800-865-6490, or 1-405-524-0126
Madhouse
Even though the first day of session is usually a madhouse with too much going on all at once and crowds of people, it would be good for folks to try to attend this first meeting, meet the authors of these bills, and ask them pointed questions about their intentions.
You should also make a point of visiting your own Representative and Senator and express your expectations for this session – such as, “I expect you are NOT going to establish a state-based insurance exchange in the state of Oklahoma. Right?”
