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Senate passes bill restricting sales of recreational nitrous oxide to minors after reported teen death
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Summary
House Bill 1933, prompted by a Tecumseh-area teen's death, prohibits sales of certain recreational nitrous oxide products to people under 18; sponsor and family members framed the bill as a safety measure.
House Bill 1933 passed the Oklahoma Senate 45–0 on April 15 after sponsor Senator Weaver said the measure grew from a local tragedy and is intended to curb recreational misuse of nitrous oxide.
"This bill comes as a result of a death of a young man in the Tecumseh area," Senator Weaver said, adding that nitrous oxide has legitimate medical uses but is being sold in shops for recreational use by young people. Weaver characterized the bill as a limited, common-sense restriction that would prevent sales to persons 18 and under.
Members recognized family members associated with the case in the gallery while the sponsor urged colleagues to approve the measure. "We can't bring Maddox back," Weaver said, "but what we can do in this building at times... is pass bills that may just save one."
The measure was advanced and passed without recorded opposition and will be sent to the governor.
