State of Oklahoma Archives: on Families & Children

Josh Breechen: Allow religious discrimination by child welfare agencies

Human Rights Campaign analysis:  HRC condemned a bill that would allow child welfare organizations--including adoption and foster care agencies--to turn away qualified Oklahomans seeking to care for a child in need, including LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents, married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced, or other parents to whom the agency has a religious objection.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 33-7-7 on May/3/18; State Sen. Josh Breechen voted YES; Passed House 56-21-23 on May/3/18; Signed by Governor Mary Fallin on May/11/18

Brad Henry: Family anchors us and reminds us of what is truly important

We shoulder tremendous responsibilities: to build a first-class education system; to cultivate economic opportunity; to ensure affordable, accessible health care; to nurture a society in which families and individuals can live in safety, peace and prosperity.

The journey toward these goals requires a compass to keep us on a steady course. I am grateful for my own compass: my faithful family. Family anchors us and reminds us of what is truly important and why we chose a path of public service.

Ervin Yen: Has pressed for increasing vaccinations of school children

Ervin Yen: Allow religious discrimination by child welfare agencies

Human Rights Campaign analysis: HRC condemned a bill that would allow child welfare organizations--including adoption and foster care agencies--to turn away qualified Oklahomans seeking to care for a child in need, including LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents, married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced, or other parents to whom the agency has a religious objection.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 33-7-7 on May/3/18; State Sen. Ervin Yen voted YES; Passed House 56-21-23 on May/3/18; Signed by Governor Mary Fallin on May/11/18

Kevin Stitt: Vaccination should be between a parent & their pediatrician

Stitt refused to say whether he would apply a litmus test for any state Supreme Court pick to ensure they would support laws that rein in abortions.

Responding to a question on media coverage suggesting he opposed immunizations for children, Stitt said he and his wife had all their children vaccinated and that he doesn't intend to overhaul any state laws. "All I've said is that vaccination should be between a parent and their pediatrician," he said. "I don't support changing any law whatsoever and I have the same opinion as my opponent."

Kevin Stitt: We know God gave kids to parents--not the government!

Mary Fallin: Disallow adoptions in LGBT homes

The bill written by Republican Sen. Greg Treat provides legal protections to faith-based agencies that won't place children in LGBT homes because of religious or moral convictions or policies. Fallin's action drew support from Oklahoma's Catholic bishops. "The new law will bring more adoption services to the state and allow crucial faith-based agencies to continue their decades-long tradition of caring for Oklahoma's most vulnerable children," the bishops said in a statement.

The adoption law goes into effect Nov. 1.

Mary Fallin: Allow religious discrimination by child welfare agencies

Human Rights Campaign analysis: HRC condemned a bill that would allow child welfare organizations--including adoption and foster care agencies--to turn away qualified Oklahomans seeking to care for a child in need, including LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents, married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced, or other parents to whom the agency has a religious objection.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 33-7-7 on May/3/18; Passed House 56-21-23 on May/3/18; Signed by Governor Mary Fallin on May/11/18

Scott Inman: Against religious discrimination by child welfare agencies

Human Rights Campaign analysis: HRC condemned a bill that would allow child welfare organizations--including adoption and foster care agencies--to turn away qualified Oklahomans seeking to care for a child in need, including LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents, married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced, or other parents to whom the agency has a religious objection.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 33-7-7 on May/3/18; Passed House 56-21-23 on May/3/18; State Rep. Scott Inman voted NO; Signed by Governor Mary Fallin on May/11/18

T.W. Shannon: Use TANF funds to publicize benefits of marriage

House Bill 1908, authored by House Speaker T.W. Shannon, would take money designated to help needy families and divert it to a campaign promoting marriage. The bill passed the House and was sent to the Senate this week.

The bill, if it becomes law, would create a public service campaign as part of the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative and utilize federal TANF funds, to promote marriage as a tool against poverty.

TANF--Temporary Assistance for Needy Families--was designed to help low-income families on a temporary basis. The bill would take funds from families and put it into advertising telling single parents the benefits of marriage.

Kevin Stitt: Ban all gender transition surgeries & therapies for minors

Nathan Dahm: Allow religious discrimination by child welfare agencies

Human Rights Campaign analysis: HRC condemned a bill that would allow child welfare organizations--including adoption and foster care agencies--to turn away qualified Oklahomans seeking to care for a child in need, including LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents, married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced, or other parents to whom the agency has a religious objection.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 33-7-7 on May/3/18; State Sen. Nathan Dahm voted YES; Passed House 56-21-23 on May/3/18; Signed by Governor Mary Fallin on May/11/18

Charles McCall: Allow religious discrimination by child welfare agencies

Human Rights Campaign analysis: HRC condemned a bill that would allow child welfare organizations--including adoption and foster care agencies--to turn away qualified Oklahomans seeking to care for a child in need, including LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents, married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced, or other parents to whom the agency has a religious objection.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 33-7-7 on May/3/18; Passed House 56-21-23 on May/3/18; Charles McCall voted YES; Signed by Governor Mary Fallin on May/11/18

Cyndi Munson: Against religious discrimination by child welfare agencies

Human Rights Campaign analysis: HRC condemned a bill that would allow child welfare organizations--including adoption and foster care agencies--to turn away qualified Oklahomans seeking to care for a child in need, including LGBTQ couples, interfaith couples, single parents, married couples in which one prospective parent has previously been divorced, or other parents to whom the agency has a religious objection.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 33-7-7 on May/3/18; Passed House 56-21-23 on May/3/18; Cyndi Munson voted NO; Signed by Governor Mary Fallin on May/11/18

Charles McCall: Put state money into crisis pregnancy centers

"We need to cherish the two- and three-year-olds, the preschooler, the kid in grade school, and we need to get our young people workforce ready,” said Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.

"As a matter of public policy, I am opposed to abortion in all circumstances,” said candidate Mike Mazzei.

Jake Merrick shared his perspective, saying, "DNA is created, and it becomes completely distinct and separate from the mom, and it's a totally unique human being."

Charles McCall highlighted past initiatives, saying, "Some of the smartest things we did was put state money into a public trust for our crisis pregnancy centers, to go draw that money out."

Gentner Drummond: Cherish the two- and three-year-olds

"We need to cherish the two- and three-year-olds, the preschooler, the kid in grade school, and we need to get our young people workforce ready,” said Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond.

"As a matter of public policy, I am opposed to abortion in all circumstances,” said candidate Mike Mazzei.

Jake Merrick shared his perspective, saying, "DNA is created, and it becomes completely distinct and separate from the mom, and it's a totally unique human being."

Charles McCall highlighted past initiatives, saying, "Some of the smartest things we did was put state money into a public trust for our crisis pregnancy centers, to go draw that money out."

N`Kiyla Thomas: Families cannot thrive without reliable childcare

Families cannot thrive without reliable childcare. I will push for:
• Universal, affordable childcare--including 24/7 options
• Treating childcare as federal infrastructure
• Paid family and medical leave
• Step-down childcare assistance to eliminate income cliffs
• Childcare access for students, military families, and shift workers.

N`Kiyla Thomas: I will push for paid family and medical leave

I will push for:
• Universal, affordable childcare--including 24/7 options
• Treating childcare as federal infrastructure
• Paid family and medical leave
• Step-down childcare assistance to eliminate income cliffs
• Childcare access for students, military families, and shift workers

Mike Mazzei: I believe in two genders; no boys in girls' sports

Oklahoma's law barring transgender women and girls from competing in school sports passed its fourth anniversary in March.