Speaker Lance Cargill and House Republican leaders unveiled the "Safe Families" platform in their 2007 "Year of Ideas Agenda" in advance of the upcoming legislative session. The final portion of the "Ideas Agenda" focuses on public safety, immigration reform, faith-based solutions, investments in infrastructure. The Safe Families platform is the final portion of the 2007 House GOP Year of Ideas Agenda. House leaders unveiled the first two platforms last week and earlier this week. Speaking at the Oklahoma City police department's new Bricktown substation today, Cargill said the "Safe Families" platform of the agenda aimed to boost public safety, protect children, offer immigration reforms and increase investments in the state's transportation infrastructure. "Oklahomans deserve to live in a safe state, free from violent criminals and dangerous predators, said Cargill (R-Harrah). We must be tough on crime, but also on the causes of crime, by fostering partnerships with faith-based and volunteer community organizations to help reduce repeat offenders. Our neediest citizens should be protected by a social safety net that has not been frayed by the strain of illegal immigration. And a safe Oklahoma must include a quality transportation infrastructure not only to support economic growth and to boost opportunity, but to protect lives." Highlights of the four-plank Safe Families platform includes this legislation: Law and Order House Bill 1051, a measure authored by Speaker Cargill to prevent student-aged sex offenders from attending the same school as their victims, something state law currently does not allow school districts to do. Cargill introduced a similar measure last year. However, it died in the Senate. House Bill 1927, authored by Rep. Kris Steele (R-Shawnee) would require local court-appointed special advocates to undergo a background check conducted by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. House Bill 1816, authored by Rep. David Dank (R-Oklahoma City) would increase the penalty for sex offenses against children under 12 to a minimum sentence of 25 years and not more than life imprisonment. No minimum sentence currently exists for such offenses. House Bill 1649, by Rep. Pam Peterson (R-Tulsa), implements a State Plan for Coordination of Efforts for Prevention of Sexual Violence through a public awareness campaign, establishment of a coordinator within the health department, development of sexual assault resource teams, and more. House Bill 1742, authored by Rep. Rex Duncan (R-Sand Springs), will offer a 10-year concealed carry license as an option for gun owners. Currently, concealed handgun licenses are valid for 5 years. Pointing to Oklahoma's prisons, Rep. Gus Blackwell said that House GOP leadership remains committed to investments in public safety coupled with reform. "We will continue to invest in public safety this year, and make sure the Department of Corrections is adequately funded", said Blackwell (R-Goodwell). "At the same time, government accountability is a top priority for the House Republicans, so we will keep a close watch over taxpayer dollars." Immigration Reform "Our immigration reforms are about upholding Oklahoma's laws, and respecting immigrants who come to our country legally," said Rep. Randy Terrill (R-Moore), who will carry the House GOP's immigration reform legislation in House Bill 1804. "Our reforms are also focused on making sure Oklahoma's neediest citizens have access to a social safety net that has not been strained by illegal immigration. Illegal immigration has serious financial consequences for Oklahoma, costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars." Terrill said House Bill 1804 would include five major components:

Ending identity theft by restricting access to government identification and information.

Stopping voter fraud by requiring proof of citizenship.

Ending taxpayer subsidies for illegal aliens.

Enhancing law enforcement so that state and local law enforcement will be able to detain and hold illegal aliens.

Penalties for employers who knowingly employ illegal aliens. Faith-based Solutions Speaker Cargill has authored House Bill 2101, the Transformational Justice Act, similar to legislation that passed the House last year. The legislation died in the state Senate last year. The measure would encourage state prisons to partner with faith-based, community and voluntary organizations to help inmates rejoin society and reduce the rate of repeat offenders. "Oklahoma's prisons should be preparing inmates to function in society when they get out, not simply warehousing them so that they commit more crimes once released," said Cargill. "Faith-based and volunteer organizations can play a vital role in reducing prisoner recidivism, and I think it's just common sense to take advantage of programs that are already working." Protecting Investments in Roads and Bridges "Oklahoma's transportation infrastructure was neglected for years before Republicans pushed through the past two years' worth of reforms," said Rep. Mike Thompson (R-Oklahoma City) chairman of the House Transportation Subcommittee. "We will make it a priority to follow through on funding commitments, so that we can continue to fix our crumbling roads and bridges."