This bill requires health insurance plans in Oklahoma to cover specific genetic testing and cancer imaging for individuals at risk of cancer. The coverage applies to tests ordered by doctors that align with recognized medical guidelines and must not be subject to deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance limits. The law defines genetic testing as multi-gene analysis for inherited cancer mutations and specifies that imaging must be evidence-based and clinically useful. It also includes provisions to ensure these benefits do not negatively impact eligibility for federal health savings accounts.
This bill directs the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to create a program allowing family members of Medicaid recipients to serve as recognized caregivers. Under the new rules, these family members would be supervised by registered nurses and could provide skilled care tasks through licensed home care agencies. The program requires approved family caregivers to pass background checks and complete training standards set by the State Board of Health. Home care agencies would receive reimbursement from the state for services provided by these recognized family members. The legislation also updates existing definitions in the Home Care Act to clarify who is excluded from this specific family caregiver program.
This bill requires organizations receiving funding from Oklahoma's Rural Economic Action Plan to create a strategy for measuring the non-financial impacts of their funded projects. The plan may include surveys or inquiries directed at the public and local governments to assess these qualitative effects. Entities must submit a report to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce by January 1, 2027, detailing the results of this assessment for at least two funded projects. The costs associated with developing the plan and producing the report must be paid using specific initial planning funds authorized by existing state law.
This bill increases the daily fee paid to jurors in Oklahoma courts from $20 to $75 and authorizes the payment of parking fees for district court jurors. It establishes a new Lengthy Trial Fund to provide wage replacement or supplementation for jurors serving on civil cases for more than ten days, with funding collected through a $10 fee charged to attorneys filing civil cases. The fund is designed to cover the difference between a juror's regular wages and the state jury fee, with specific exemptions for government attorneys, pro se litigants, and cases involving minimal court resources. Additionally, the bill allows courts to award supplemental wages for days four through ten of service if a juror faces significant financial hardship.
This bill creates an investment rebate program to help small municipalities in Oklahoma with populations between 5,000 and 7,000 pay for water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades. To qualify, a municipality must spend at least $30 million on such projects to support a new business in a specific economic sector located within a designated development district, and it must have already spent at least 20% of its planned budget. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce will review applications and issue payments from a new state fund, capping the rebate at $35 million per municipality and the total program at the amount of money designated for the fund. The program is set to run until July 1, 2029, and any remaining funds will be returned to the state's general revenue.
This bill grants the Oklahoma Attorney General expanded authority to represent state officers, boards, and commissions in legal matters and to defend them when they are sued. It modifies existing statutes to clarify that the Attorney General handles legal duties for most state agencies, with specific exceptions where other entities may hire their own counsel or where the Governor appoints special counsel. The legislation also updates procedures for criminal actions, identity theft expungements, and sentencing powers, requiring certain approvals from the Attorney General in specific cases. These changes are designed to streamline legal representation and oversight across various state departments and offices.
This bill updates the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act to clarify definitions and procedures for public bodies, including how they conduct meetings during public health emergencies. It specifically defines a public health emergency as an imminent threat causing a high probability of deaths or serious disabilities, and it sets rules for holding meetings via electronic means such as videoconferencing. The legislation also outlines requirements for public notice, participation, and the availability of meeting records, while excluding certain groups like administrative staff and specific judicial teams from the definition of a public body. Additionally, the bill establishes conditions under which public officials may be immune from liability for violations of the act.
This bill designates the week of May 27 through June 2, 2024, as Provider Appreciation Week in Oklahoma to honor child care providers. The resolution urges all citizens to recognize the important work these providers do for children and families. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the sector's value to the state.
This bill amends Oklahoma law to update how cities and towns regulate video service providers, such as cable companies, that use public streets for their infrastructure. It requires municipalities to charge these providers a fee for using public rights-of-way, capped at five percent of their annual revenue, and limits licenses to a maximum of twenty-five years. The legislation also allows cities to adopt stricter local rules if they are consistent with state and federal laws and includes provisions for public access channels, though providers can opt to offer a "family-friendly" tier instead. Additionally, the bill clarifies that video services include wireline-based programming but exclude mobile services, satellite TV, and internet streaming.
HB 3331 creates the Oklahoma Vaping Licensing Reform Act of 2024 to regulate the sale of vapor products in the state. The bill establishes a new licensing system for businesses selling vaping items and sets specific rules for their operation. It also includes provisions for fines that hold store owners accountable when minors purchase tobacco or vapor products. The law is scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2024.
SB 448 modifies Oklahoma's retirement rules for justices, judges, and public employees by removing the requirement for a spouse's written consent when a member chooses a specific retirement payout option. Under the new provisions, married members can select a "joint and survivor" plan that pays a reduced benefit to the retiree and a full benefit to their spouse after the retiree's death without needing spousal approval, whereas other options still require that consent. The bill also clarifies that if a deceased member dies before retiring, their surviving spouse may elect to receive benefits under this new option instead of just getting the member's accumulated contributions. These changes apply to members who join the relevant retirement systems on or after September 1, 2005, and to those with vested benefits who have not yet received payments.
SB 1520 amends Oklahoma state statutes to clarify how certain types of legislative changes to retirement bills are classified. Specifically, the bill updates the definition of a "nonfiscal amendment" and a "nonfiscal retirement bill" within the Oklahoma Pension Legislation Actuarial Analysis Act. These definitions determine which proposed changes to public retirement systems do not alter the system's funding costs or create new financial liabilities. The legislation directly affects the state's legislative process regarding retirement bills by establishing clearer criteria for what constitutes a change that does not impact the financial health of the retirement systems.
