Proposed legislation aims to reduce trauma experienced by Oklahoma school children

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Two measures introduced in the state senate aim to reduce trauma experienced by children in schools. The legislation is sponsored by Senator Allison Ikley-Freeman, D-Tulsa, who before entering politics worked as a therapist at a nonprofit mental health agency.

Senator Ikley-Freeman told FOX 25 her goal is to create a “more trauma-informed culture” within the state’s public schools.

In Senate Bill 72 schools would be prohibited from using mechanical restraints to restrict a child’s movement. It would also not allow schools to use medication to control behavior, unless that medication is authorized by a physician.

The original push for these changes came from former Representative Josh Cockroft, R-Wanette, and Senator Ikley-Freeman said after Griffin left the issues she fought for were left unresolved which is why she decided to continue the effort to create rules for the use of restraints and seclusion in the classroom.

“Oklahoma has the highest child trauma rates in the nation,” Ikley-Freeman told FOX 25 about Senate Bill 72 and a companion piece of legislation, SB 74, which would require schools to put an application for free or reduced lunch programs in enrollment packets.

The second piece of legislation would also prevent schools from throwing away lunches that have already been served if it is determined a child cannot pay. The idea for this legislation began with former State Senator A.J. Griffin, R-Guthrie, who announced last year she would not seek to return to the legislature.

Ikeley-Freeman, who was elected in a special election in 2017, said she thought it was important to continue these pieces of legislation after the original authors left state service. With her background in mental health, Ikley-Freeman said she hopes to continue to pursue legislation that improves the mental well-being of both children and adults in Oklahoma.