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January 12, 2009

Legislative watch

Bill would ban fingerprinting for driver’s license

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — State Sen. Randy Brogdon is sponsoring a bill to prohibit the state Department of Public Safety from requiring driver’s license applicants to give their fingerprints.

The bill, dubbed “The Religious Freedom and Privacy Protection Act of 2009,” would prevent the state from collecting or keeping “any biometric data in connection with motor vehicle registration or operation or in connection with driver licensing.”

Biometric data would include fingerprints, palm prints, voice data, iris recognition data, retinal scans and DNA.

It would also apply to Social Security numbers.

Brogdon said he is tired of bureaucracies across the country gradually stripping away freedom and constitutional rights.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. Chris West says the fingerprint requirement is intended to reduce identity theft and is required under a law that took effect in July 2004.

West says the Social Security numbers help in collection of child support.

Brogdon said the measure would not harm child support enforcement. An applicant still would be required to provide a Social Security number, but the bill would not allow the agency to store or share it, he said.

Jeff Wagner, a spokesman for the Department of Human Services’ Child Support Services Division, said state and federal laws mandate that agencies, businesses and individuals provide information to help find missing parents in child support cases.

“The Social Security Act recognizes that Social Security numbers obtained by the Department of Public Safety and shared in connection with driver’s licenses are a powerful tool for locating these individuals,” Wagner said. “Prohibiting the retention of this information will provide one more way for absent parents owing child support to hide from their obligations and the law.”

Bill restricts minors’ access to tanning salons

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A senator has filed a bill placing restrictions on the use of tanning salons by minors in Oklahoma.

Sen. Andrew Rice, an Oklahoma City Democrat, says restrictions are needed because of rising skin cancer rates. He wants Oklahoma to join 29 other states that regulate the use of tanning salons by minors.

His measure would not allow anyone under 13 to use a tanning facility unless the minor got permission from a doctor or the parent stayed at the facility during the tanning.

Those between ages 13 and 15 could not go to a tanning place without a parent, who would have to remain at the facility while the individual tanned.

Those ages 16 and 17 could use a tanning salon only if they had a written statement from a parent and would be required to wear protective eye wear.

House Republicans approve agenda

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge says a legislative agenda approved by the chamber’s Republican majority meets his criteria for achieving pro-growth, conservative policies.

House Republicans approved their agenda for the upcoming legislative session on Monday. GOP House members met privately for almost four hours to hammer it out.

Afterward, Benge declined to provide specifics and said agenda details will be released later this week.

But Benge has said he wants lawmakers to work on legislation that will help achieve energy independence for the nation and create a pro-growth business climate.

The Tulsa Republican has also said he supports programs to improve the state’s health care system as well as advances in education that will help Oklahoma students compete in a global economy.

The Legislature convenes on Feb. 2.

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