OKLAHOMA CITY — State Rep. Merleyn Bell, D-Norman, released the following statement today after the passage of Senate Bill 382, which exempts purchases of clothing and food for patients in the care of the J.D. McCarty Center for Children with Developmental Disabilities from requirements of the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act.

Bell is a co-author of the legislation and filed a companion bill, House Bill 2710, at the beginning of this legislative session to ensure the purchasing flexibility requested by the J.D. McCarty Center could be added to statute this year.

“This simple change will help the J.D. McCarty Center to streamline the work they do and better meet the needs of Oklahoma’s children with developmental disabilities,” Bell said. “I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Senate and the House for carrying this bill across the finish line.”