TULSA, Okla. — The Oklahoma Senate on April 30 passed surrounding a case that happened decades ago.
House Bill 1001 is also called Lauria and Ashley's Law. It was named after Lauria Bible and Ashley Freeman, two Oklahoma girls who disappeared decades ago.
2 News spoke with Bible's mother, Lorene Bible, after the Senate passed it.
This was the bill's second time in the Senate. While making it to the Senate floor last year, the bill ultimately died there, with lawmakers starting the process all over again this year.
“It's a long, hard route," Lorene Bible told 2 News, "but you just gotta stay in it and pray about it and go for it.”
She said her daughter "would have fought for what she felt was right," saying that passing this law is something Lauria would have done.
When asked how she felt about the bill finally passing Oklahoma's upper chamber, she replied, "Well, it's two years of hard work, doing what we can to get it there."
"It doesn't help our case," she also said, "but it helps other families that will come behind us.”
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'Lauria & Ashley's Law' heads to state senate for second try
Ronnie Busick was convicted in the disappearances of the girls on Dec. 30, 1999.
It's believed Phillip Welch and David Pennington went inside Freeman's house in Welch and killed her parents before razing the residence to the ground and likely taking the girls elsewhere to kill them. Busick admitted to being the getaway driver but denied any knowledge of the crimes.
Both Welch and Pennington died years ago.
Busick was released from prison on good behavior in 2023, after serving fewer than three years of his 10-year sentence. His last known residence is in Kansas.
Lauria & Ashley's Law is authored by Rep. Steve Bashore of Miami. The bill requires anyone convicted of accessory to first or second-degree murder to serve at least 85% of their sentence before any possibility of parole or commutation.
The bill heads to Gov. Kevin Stitt's desk for his signature. 38 senators voted for the bill, while five voted no.
When asked if this marks the end of the chapter in this story, Bible replied, “No, ‘cause then ... you gotta go educate people on it.”
Bible added that she wants families to know they can use this law to hold accountable those who were present for a crime.
“This gives them a reason that they were here, that they didn't — you know — their disappearances aren't in vain.”
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