Use Of Force To Protect Pregnant Women Measure Passes Legislature, Goes To Henry For Action

From The President Pro Tem's Office ~ Senate Bill 1103 by President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee will now go before the governor for his signature after receiving unanimous approval from both chambers.

Senate Bill 1103 provides protections for pregnant women who are subject to domestic violence abuse.

The “Use of Force for the Protection of the Unborn Act” defines circumstances that give a pregnant woman the right to use force or deadly force against another to protect her unborn child. Such protection includes reasonable beliefs that the unborn child is threatened, making the use of force immediately necessary for the child’s protection.

“The overwhelming support of this bill shows how important of a safeguard it really is,” said Pro Tem Coffee. “We have chosen today to support a critical measure that allows a pregnant woman to not only save her life but the life of her unborn child as well. I commend my colleagues on rallying together as a legislative body to protect life, and I urge the Governor to join us by signing this bill into law.”

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Senate Gives GPS Protection Use 47-0 Vote

On a 47-0 bipartisan vote, the Senate today approved a bill that would authorize the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to protect domestic abuse victims.

Authored by State Senator Debbe Leftwich, Senate Bill 2163 now goes to Governor Henry for approval.

Leftwich, an Oklahoma City Democrat, said the plan makes smart use of existing technology to better protect Oklahoma citizens.

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Leftwich's GPS Tracking Bill Gets Senate Approval

A bill proposing the use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) to protect domestic abuse victims passed by a unanimous vote today in the Oklahoma State Senate. Authored by Senator Debbe Leftwich, D-OKC, Senate Bill 2163 uses available technology to better protect Oklahoma citizens.

Leftwich said using all available resources and cutting-edge technologies to make Oklahoma safer is responsible government.

“I truly believe this law will provide a higher level of defense and protection to victims of domestic abuse and violence,” Leftwich said. “Too many victims continue to be harassed and preyed upon even after successfully obtaining a court-issued restraining order against their abusers.”

Leftwich said the GPS devices, which will be issued by court order to violent offenders who have repeatedly violated protection orders, will automatically notify both the law enforcement officials, employers and the victim should a violent predator breach geographic boundaries set by the court.

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Domestic Abuse Victim Protection Bill Advances

A measure to protect and keep confidential the location of victims of domestic abuse passed a House committee. House Bill 2250, by Rep. Marian Cooksey, modifies what information municipal utility companies can disclose to the public under the Oklahoma Open Records Act and allows non-disclosure of a customer's name. The bill also defines what information may be available for public access including consumption rates, adjustments to the bill, reasons for adjustment, address and the name of the person that authorized the adjustment.

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