Stewart Expresses Disappointment Following Failure of HB3052 to Receive Senate Committee Hearing

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ronald Stewart, D-Tulsa, released the following statement expressing his profound disappointment that HB3052, the Sir Major White-Bullock Child Protection and Family Notification Act, was not granted a hearing in the Senate prior to the committee deadline, effectively ending its progress for the 2026 legislative session.

“I am deeply disappointed that House Bill 3052 was not given the opportunity to be heard before the Senate committee deadline,” said Stewart. “This legislation represented a critical step forward in strengthening protections for children and ensuring timely intervention in high-risk situations, particularly those involving fentanyl exposure, an issue that continues to devastate families across Oklahoma.”

HB3052 was designed to establish a standardized approach to identifying and responding to dangerous circumstances impacting children, including cases where exposure to fentanyl or other life-threatening conditions may be present. The bill sought to improve coordination between agencies, enhance notification protocols, and ensure that warning signs do not go unaddressed.

“The failure to advance this bill reflects a broader systemic issue, one where the urgency of protecting our children is not always prioritized as it should be. Fentanyl exposure remains a real and growing threat in our communities, and inaction only increases the risk to Oklahoma’s most vulnerable.”

Stewart noted that, beyond policy improvements, the legislation carried deep personal significance for families impacted by preventable tragedies.

“This bill was not just about policy; it was about people. It was about giving families a sense of resolution after unimaginable loss and taking meaningful steps to prevent other families from experiencing that same heartbreak. That opportunity was missed this session.”

Despite the setback, Stewart emphasized that the effort to pass this legislation is far from over.

“While this outcome is extremely unfortunate, it does not mark the end of this fight. I remain committed to championing this legislation and will bring it back next session. We owe it to the families who have already suffered, and to those we still have the chance to protect.”

Rep. Stewart reaffirmed his commitment to advancing policies that prioritize child safety and address the ongoing fentanyl crisis in Oklahoma.

“Our responsibility is clear, we must do everything within our power to protect our most vulnerable assets: our children. I will not waver in that responsibility.”