Oklahoma State Sen. Dusty Deevers withdraws Senate Bill 1017 after widespread dissent
An Oklahoma state senator withdrew a controversial bill targeting special education services in schools after an outcry from parents, therapists and special education advocates, a news release said.
Oklahoma State Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, proposed Senate Bill 1017, which could have removed school-based services like speech and physical therapy for some students for whom it was not deemed "educationally necessary." Those opposing the bill emphasized the extensive process of getting a student approved for an Individualized Education Plan, or an IEP, and that those receiving these services need them to obtain an education.
While Deevers has pulled the bill, the news release said he is requesting an audit "to ensure that school-based services are serving kids with disabilities efficiently and effectively."
Deevers Pulls SB1017, Moves Forward with Plans to Improve Student Care, Transparency, and Parental RightsOKLAHOMA...
Posted by Senator Dusty Deevers on Wednesday, February 5, 2025
He also said in a statement that the reason he proposed the bill was to safeguard Oklahoma schools from the onset of "school-based health centers" that he claims in states like Maryland and California have prescribed students birth control and abortion pills without parental consent or notification.
Deevers said the bill was intended to prevent something like this from happening in Oklahoma by aligning Oklahoma law with the definitions from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
"It has become evident that the language of SB1017 needed to more precisely reflect my intent—protecting the necessary services for our special needs students while ensuring that parental rights remain intact," Deevers said in the statement. "I regret any confusion or concern this has caused and sincerely apologize for the turmoil it has created."
Deevers vowed to wait to take legislative action on the issue until after seeing the results of a "long-overdue" audit of the school Medicaid program, the funds from which pay for students to receive educationally necessary healthcare at school.
"Oklahoma families and all Oklahomans deserve full transparency and have a right to know that every dollar intended for student services is being used appropriately," Deevers said in the statement.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma SB 1017: Sen. Dusty Deevers pulls bill after opposition
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