Republicans Send Bill to Full Senate Floor Less Than 24 Hours After It Was Introduced

Oklahoma Senate Republicans have chosen to fast track a “religious freedom” bill that would would allow students or their parents to claim they have a “sincerely-held religious belief” objection to sharing restrooms and locker rooms with transgender children. If it were to become law, the bill would force school systems to provide facilities to students of faith that ban transgender students. Making matters more complex, single-user facilities would not, under the law, be an acceptable accommodation. The bill is drafted as an “emergency” measure, allowing it to become law immediately if the governor signs it.

This OK state of emergency anti-trans bill passes out of committee. https://t.co/Y74O1o2bdp pic.twitter.com/HJincjwT26 â€” Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) May 20, 2016

SB 1619Â was introduced Thursday evening. Friday afternoon it had already been taken up by theÂ Senate Join Committee on Appropriations and Budget, been debated, and passed on to the full Senate with a 20-15 vote, KOKH reports.

Several senators keep pointing out the bathroom bill’s language is legally wrong. Like it was drafted at the last minute or something. â€” Phil Cross (@philsnews) May 20, 2016

A clear indication the lawmakers supporting the legislation had no idea what they’re doing, this:

Senator Newberry asking if a student could decide to switch gender between the morning and the afternoon. â€” Phil Cross (@philsnews) May 20, 2016

Senator Dan Newberry, in supporting the bill today, told his colleagues “there is nothing more powerful or more worthy” than passing the bill, as KOKH’s Phil Cross reported:

Sen Newberry in support of bathroom bill pic.twitter.com/leASe7B3bB â€” Phil Cross (@philsnews) May 20, 2016

Republican Sen. David Holt opposes SB 1619. He noted the committee had spent the entire day on the legislation while ignoring the state budget bill, and announced that made him feel “ashamed,” especially because there are only a few days left in the legislature’s session.

Senator @davidfholt‘s final statement on the bathroom bill pic.twitter.com/S7ZCPQO1uu â€” Phil Cross (@philsnews) May 20, 2016

Sen. @davidfholt says people are literally marching in the street over budget issues and now we are debating bathroom bill. â€” Phil Cross (@philsnews) May 20, 2016

Sen. Floyd asks what test will be applied to determine what is a “deeply held religious belief” â€” Phil Cross (@philsnews) May 20, 2016

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Image:Â The New Civil Rights Movement