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Abortion, DHS, And Job Incentives Among Dozens Of Bills Signed By Gov. Fallin

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A bill that modifies Oklahoma's Quality Jobs Act could add thousands of positions at Tinker Air Force Base

Gov. Mary Fallin signed more than three dozen bills Wednesday, including a controversial abortion measure and legislation designed to prevent abuse and neglect of disabled children.

Senate Bill 1848 requires abortion clinics to have a physician with admitting privileges at a nearby hospital present when an abortion is performed. The bill further requires the Oklahoma Board of Health to establish standards regarding equipment and supplies that might be needed in a medical emergency.

State Rep. Randy Grau (R-Edmond) says his measure will require abortion clinics to be equipped and staffed to deal with a medical emergency.

A spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood says the bill will severely restrict a woman's access to safe, legal abortion in the state and has other medically unnecessary requirements for abortion providers.

The governor also signed a bill named in honor of a disabled 15-year-old boy who died of pneumonia last year after suffering alleged neglect and abuse.

The Quentin Douglas Wood Act of 2014 requires the Department of Human Services to give special consideration to a child who is unable to communicate effectively about possible abuse or neglect when the agency conducts an investigation.

Other bills signed by Fallin increase penalties for trafficking in prescription drugs and child pornography, and adjust the licensing requirements for bail bondsmen.

The Oklahoman’s Rick Green reports a measure that targets the state's Quality Jobs Act could add thousands of positions at Tinker Air Force Base.

House Bill 1416 will assist Tinker in the $44 million purchase of the 175-acre BNSF Railway yard so the property can be used to build an aircraft maintenance facility for the military’s new KC-46A refueling tanker. Average pay for the new jobs is expected to be about $62,000. Federal officials already have approved Tinker as the maintenance site for the civilian jobs. Another 2,000 civilian jobs could be coming to Tinker later.

Fallin has until June 7 to sign bills passed by the Legislature.

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