Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry signs student disability bill

Gov. Brad Henry signed a bill Tuesday that allows public dollars to follow students with disabilities to private schools.

House Bill 3393 will not require new spending but redirects existing state funds currently spent on the student, said Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, author of HB 3393.

Nelson thanked the Democratic governor for signing the measure, saying it provides families with children with disabilities "a chance at a better education and a better life.”

The bill, which takes effect in late August, has been named the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act to honor the memory of the governor's daughter, who died as an infant.

A measure that makes it a crime for retailers to sell drug pipes has been signed into law.

Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, brought drug pipes to the House chambers to show lawmakers what was being sold at convenience stores.

Among other things, House Bill 3251 imposes a penalty of up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine for retailers who sell meth or crack pipes.

Shelton authored the drug-pipe language, which Rep. Sue Tibbs, R-Tulsa, agreed to include in her bill. Shelton said the support of Tibbs, Rep. Dan Sullivan, R-Tulsa, and the petroleum marketer's association, was crucial to advancing the legislation to the governor's desk.

HB 3521 takes effect Nov. 1.