Add Anthony Sykes to the list of worst legislators for introducing a bill to re-instate a law repealed as being archaic in 2004. According to KRMG on the morning drive, the bill would seek to prevent someone from getting married should they have an STD. I think the Constitution might have something to say about that but count on good ol’ Scott Pruitt to fight for this if it passes and is challenged.
“We want less government intrusion! Oh, excuse us for intruding on your bedroom!"
Bill would require a blood test for STDs to get Oklahoma marriage license
OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma lawmaker wants those seeking marriage licenses to be tested for diseases.
Sen. Anthony Sykes, R-Moore, is the author of Senate Bill 733. Sykes did not respond to a request for comment.
“The State Board of Health shall require a blood test for the discovery of syphilis and other communicable or infectious diseases prior to the issuance of a marriage license,” according to the measure.
Applicants shall first file with the court clerk a certificate or affidavit from an Oklahoma licensed physician stating that each party has been given a blood test and that in the opinion of the physician, the applicants are not infected with syphilis or other communicable or infectious diseases, according to the bill.
If infected, that such diseases are not in a stage which may be communicable to the marriage partner, according to the bill.
The measure was not requested by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, said Jan Fox, director of the agency’s HIV/STD Service.
Legislation repealing a blood test for syphilis prior to getting a license was passed in 2004, she said. Data had shown in the prior five years, there were about 300,000 premarital tests for syphilis performed in Oklahoma with only 5 new cases confirmed, she said.
“What I would say is that just as it was in 2004, premarital testing for syphilis or any other infectious disease does not appear to have any usefulness for disease control efforts,” Fox said.
Those applying for marriage licenses were not people at risk of acquiring it, she said.
Nationally and in Oklahoma, the number of sexually transmitted diseases is on the rise for a number of reasons, she said.
Very good testing is available, she said. In addition, a number of people place themselves at risk, she said.
“It is very easy to find sex partners and easy to find anonymous sex partners,” she said. “That seems to be fueling the increase.”
Ryan Kiesel, American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma executive director, said the measure is built on the false premise that most wait to have sex until after they are married.
“I think there is certainly a potential Oklahomans could have very private medical data revealed to the public under this measure,” Kiesel said.
He said it is bizarre that a politician would run for office under the mantle of family values but work so hard to keep so many people from joining together to form a family.
Troy Stevenson is the executive director of Freedom Oklahoma, which supports same-sex marriage.
“We have real concerns about this blood test legislation and those concerns have yet to be answered,” Stevenson said. “It looks like this is targeting the HIV/AIDS community.”
He said the legislation appears to target people with communicable diseases.
As of Friday, the measure had been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sykes chairs the committee, which meets on Tuesday. As of 5 p.m. Friday, the list of bills for consideration had not been posted.
Barbara Hoberock 405-528-2465
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/bill-would-require-a-blood-test-for-stds-to-get/article_79ec8f4d-85c2-5ae2-8f39-03759d9da210.html
