One of the first bills to pass the Oklahoma House this session would restrict healthcare providers convicted of covering up statutory rape from receiving state dollars for five years. House Floor Leader Jon Echols authored House Bill 2591 which creates the Defunding Statutory Rape Cover-Up Act.
If certain pregnancy related providers are convicted of not reporting a sexual assault on a child, it would lose state funds from Medicaid or other programs for at least five years. The legislation does allow for the provider to reapply for funds after five years. The provider also must demonstrate it has procedures in place to report statutory rape to start receiving state money again.
“This is not only a legal issue, but it is a moral issue,” said Echols. “These are young girls who are victims of predators. If you cover up or fail to report a statutory rape and you are convicted of that crime, than you should no longer be eligible to use taxpayer dollars for your organization.”
The House passed HB 2591 by a vote of 79 to 20. It now heads to the Senate.
