Okla. Admin. Code § 1:2022-14

Current through Vol. 42, No. 3, October 15, 2024

Section 1:2022-14

EXECUTIVE ORDER 2022-14

In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization , the U.S. Supreme Court returned to States and their elected representatives the authority to regulate and prohibit abortion. Oklahoma is once again able to protect the lives of all unborn children.

When I ran for governor, I promised to sign every piece of pro-life legislation to come across my desk. I have done that; and now, Oklahoma is the most pro-life state in the country. But our work is not yet done. Being pro-life entails more than being "pro-birth"; it also entails renewing our efforts to support mothers throughout pregnancies, especially crisis pregnancies. While Oklahoma already has a strong network of Crisis Pregnancy Centers, I want to ensure all possible measures are taken to support both the unborn and mothers during crisis pregnancies.

Therefore, I, J. Kevin Stitt, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, pursuant to the power and authority vested in me by Sections 1 and 2 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, and to the fullest extent permitted under Oklahoma law, hereby order the formation of the Helping Every Life and Parent Task Force ("Task Force").

The Task Force shall study, evaluate, and make recommendations regarding policies, programs and proposed legislation that will:

1. Support Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Oklahoma;

2. Eliminate unnecessary barriers to adoption;

3. Encourage and provide resources to our communities to support mothers faced with an unplanned pregnancy;

4. Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly in support of Oklahoma mothers and families;

5. Educate Oklahomans on the reality of life in the womb; and

6. Empower nonprofit organizations and local faith communities to efficiently support families and mothers before, during, and after childbirth;

The Task Force shall submit to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, a report on or before October 28, 2022, detailing its findings and recommendations.

The Task Force shall be composed of eleven (11) members determined as follows:

1. The Oklahoma Attorney General or designee;

2. The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives or designee;

3. The President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate or designee;

4. The Secretary of Health and Mental Health or designee;

5. The Secretary of Human Services or designee;

6. The Commissioner of Health or designee;

The Governor shall appoint five additional members as follows:

7. Three representatives from nonprofit organizations or local faith communities specializing in pregnancy care and support;

8. A licensed obstetrician-gynecologist; and

9. A representative of the faith community operating a crisis pregnancy center.

The Governor shall select from the eleven (11) appointed members a Chair of the Task Force who shall have the authority to create committees and name committee chairs to facilitate the work of the Task Force and shall have the authority to appoint Task Force members and non-members to serve on committees. The Task Force shall meet as often as deemed necessary by the Chair allowing for timely completion of its work. A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of conducting the business of the Task Force. Members, including those appointed to committees who are not members of the Task Force, shall serve without compensation.

The Office of Management and Enterprise Services shall provide staff and administrative support for the Task Force. All Executive departments, officers, agencies, and employees of the State shall cooperate with the Task Force, including providing any information, data, records, and reports as may be requested.

This Executive Order shall be distributed to the Secretary of State and each member of the Task Force specifically identified herein, the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this 8 ^th day of July, 2022.

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA

J. Kevin Stitt

ATTEST:

Brian Bingman

Secretary of State

Okla. Admin. Code § 1:2022-14

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 21, July 15, 2022, eff. 7/11/2022