Claremore Daily Progress

Our View

March 5, 2010

Emergency contact program strictly optional

Sen. Sean Burrage State Senator

OKLAHOMA CITY — This past year, I was contacted by a friend whose family had just been through a terrible tragedy.  A cousin had been killed in a car accident in the middle of the night.  But responding officers were unable to locate any next of kin to contact based on the information the victim had with him at the time of the accident. 

The officers finally broke into the apartment in a desperate effort to find a name and phone number so they could let someone know their loved one had died.  The officers did all that they could, but because of the delay, it was about 12 hours after the accident before family members learned what happened, adding to their grief and distress. 

If one of my loved ones was incapacitated or killed in an accident, I would want to know as quickly as possible—and I’m guessing most people would feel the same way.  In talking with this friend, I was able to draft legislation that might help prevent such situations from occurring to other families in the future.

My proposal is contained in Senate Bill 1779, which would enable Oklahomans to voluntarily provide an emergency contact number so that a friend or family member could be notified should the unthinkable happen. 

I want to reiterate that this program would be strictly optional.  Those interested in participating could provide emergency contact information when applying for a driver license or identification card or when renewing their license or ID.  The information would not actually appear on their ID or license, but would be entered into a database maintained by the Department of Public Safety which could then be accessed in the event of an incapacitating accident or fatality.

This legislation was approved by The Senate’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee the first week of session.  Two weeks later it was approved unanimously by the full Senate. 

Rep. Ben Sherrer of Mayes County has agreed to co-author this legislation in the House of Representatives where it awaits further consideration. 

I cannot emphasize enough that this is a strictly voluntary provision.  It is simply people with a way to get contact information to police or other emergency workers in a timely way if you or a loved one is in a serious accident.

Thanks again for reading my “Senate Review.” If you have any questions on a legislative matter, please do not hesitate to contact my Senate office at the Capitol by calling (405) 521-5555 or writing me with your concerns at:  Senator Sean Burrage, 2300 North Lincoln Blvd. Rm. 529-B State Capitol Building, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.  I always enjoy hearing from my constituents and consider it an honor to be your voice in the Oklahoma State Senate.  May God bless each of you. 

n Sean Burrage is state senator for District 2, representing Rogers and Mayes counties.

 

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