FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: State Rep. George Young
Phone: (405) 557-7393

Governor signs civil rights complaint bill

OKLAHOMA CITY – Gov. Mary Fallin Friday signed into law a measure protecting complainants who file with the Attorney General’s Office of Civil Rights Enforcement.

House Bill 1478 by Rep. George Young requires the Office of Civil Rights Enforcement to redact the name of a person who files a complaint from records that are forwarded to the arresting officer’s employer and from any annual reports that are generated.

“As state representatives and senators, we should work hard to make sure people feel comfortable lodging complaints, and I’m beyond grateful that the 56th Legislature was able to see the value of this measure in protecting our most vulnerable,” said Young, D-Oklahoma City. “The anonymity this legislation provides for complainants should help root out civil rights violations across the state, and I’m confident Oklahoma will be better for it.”

The law takes effect Nov. 1, 2017.

Young represents House District 99, which includes portions of Oklahoma County.

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