Updated Vote Tally on SB 161, Rectal Distat Bill
Embedded in this post is an updated vote tally sheet on SB 161 (Huff), the measure that would result in educators, educational support personnel, and classified employees administering a form of valium rectally to a student undergoing an epileptic seizure during class time, after school activities, or any other school-related activity.
Legislative rules generally allow lawmakers to change their votes until the “roll” is locked down. The current “final” tally shows the bill gaining approval with 46 aye votes, 21 no votes, and 13 abstentions. While an abstension denies a bill’s proponent the needed “yes” vote, CTA and a coalition of nurses, school personnel, and parents were urging lawmakers to make a definitive statement by voting no. Even so, for all intents and purposes, the bill passed 46-34.
It now heads to a quick vote on the Senate floor, where it will be defeated if it fails to get a majority of lawmakers behind it.
If it gains Senate approval, it will move to the governor’s desk, where it could be killed by a veto.
