Enid, OK – Oklahoma State Senator Dusty Deevers (R-Elgin) has decided to withdraw Senate Bill 1017 following widespread backlash from parents, education advocates, and speech therapists. The bill, which initially aimed to introduce new regulations for students with disabilities, sparked intense debate over its potential impact on children with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and parental rights.
Introduced earlier this year, Senate Bill 1017 quickly faced criticism for its interpretation and practicality in addressing the needs of children with disabilities. Many parents and advocates expressed concerns that the bill would impose unnecessary burdens on families and disrupt vital services for students. The proposed legislation also raised alarms about the potential erosion of parental authority, especially in light of provisions that could have led to expanded school-based health programs in other states.
Amid the growing controversy, Senator Deevers responded to the concerns, emphasizing that his primary goal was to protect services for special needs students while safeguarding parental rights. In a statement released Wednesday, Deevers acknowledged the issues surrounding the bill’s language, noting that it was important to clarify his intent to ensure that parents and children were not negatively impacted.
“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. “I regret any confusion or concern this has caused and sincerely apologize for the turmoil it has created.”
The senator went on to express gratitude for the input he received from various groups, including parents, teachers, and therapists across the state, and explained that he had decided to withdraw the bill from consideration. “I appreciate the attention this issue has received and am grateful for the engagement of parents, teachers, and therapists across Oklahoma who have sought to provide clarity and support,” he stated.
In addition to pulling the bill, Deevers has secured a commitment from the State Department of Education to conduct an audit of the existing system to ensure that school-based services are effectively serving students with disabilities. This audit will focus on evaluating whether current practices are in line with the needs of these students and if they are benefiting from the resources provided to them.
Senator Deevers also emphasized his concern about the unchecked expansion of school-based health programs seen in other states, which he argued could undermine parental authority through blanket consent forms and questionable medical practices. His withdrawal of the bill signals a shift toward further collaboration with education professionals to ensure that any future efforts will be more carefully thought out and focused on meeting the needs of special needs students without infringing on parental rights.
As of now, Senate Bill 1017 will not be heard, marking an end to the proposed legislation in its current form.
