SB 833 changes how medical expenses are handled in Oklahoma personal injury lawsuits. It requires courts to use actual payments made (not billed amounts) for past medical care, or Medicare rates if no payment was made. For future medical treatment costs, the bill limits evidence to amounts covered by the injured person's insurance or Medicare rates, not higher billed amounts. This affects personal injury plaintiffs, medical providers, and insurance companies by standardizing evidence rules for medical bills. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.
SB 382 requires children to be toilet trained before enrolling in Oklahoma public prekindergarten starting with the 2025-2026 school year. Parents must provide written assurance of toilet training upon enrollment, and schools must follow a defined process if a child is not toilet trained (defined as three documented incidents of soiling or urination over four weeks). Schools may temporarily withdraw the child, refer parents to support resources, or allow parent assistance during training. Children with disabilities covered by an IEP or 504 Plan are exempt from this requirement. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 1090 creates the "Invest In Oklahoma" program, allowing nine specific state retirement systems (including Teachers’ Retirement and Public Employees Retirement) to invest up to 5% of their assets in Oklahoma-based private equity, venture capital, and growth funds. The State Treasurer must select qualifying funds using criteria like return rates, investment track records, and the percentage of capital invested in Oklahoma. A new Cash Management and Investment Oversight Commission will review investment performance and establish reporting standards. The program requires the Treasurer to maintain public lists of approved funds and ensure investments align with safety and return goals.
SB 1338 amends Oklahoma's Strong Readers Act by removing the existing three-year pilot program for literacy instructional teams and adding a requirement for the State Department of Education to submit biennial reports to the Governor and legislative leaders. School districts that decline literacy team support become ineligible for certain state funds under this provision. The bill mandates reports evaluating team effectiveness, tracking student reading proficiency improvements, and offering recommendations for the program. These reports must be submitted by December 31 of each odd-numbered year starting in 2026. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with an emergency declaration.
SB 1380 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid program to verify death records before approving new applications and conduct monthly checks for existing enrollees using Social Security and state vital records. It directly affects all Medicaid applicants and current beneficiaries by mandating these verifications to prevent payments to deceased individuals. If death is confirmed, coverage must be stopped immediately, and any payments for services after death must be recovered. The law also requires cost-saving contracts for verification services and gives beneficiaries 10 business days to respond to eligibility discrepancies.
HB 4227 prohibits settlement agreements that conceal details of child sexual abuse claims (as defined in Oklahoma law) or child sexual exploitation, making such clauses void and unenforceable. It also requires that victim identifying information remain confidential. The bill extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting child sexual abuse crimes: prosecutions can now occur at any time until the victim’s 45th birthday, with exceptions for cases involving DNA evidence, confessions, or specific evidence. This directly affects victims of child sexual abuse, their families, and institutions involved in settlements or prosecutions.
HB 1163 lowers the weight threshold for "aggravated trafficking" of marijuana in Oklahoma from 1,000 pounds to 25 pounds. This means possessing 25 pounds or more of marijuana would now trigger the more severe aggravated trafficking penalties, rather than the standard trafficking penalties. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of large-scale marijuana offenses, potentially increasing penalties for lower quantities. It amends Oklahoma’s Illegal Drugs Act (63 O.S. 2021, Section 420) by changing the weight specifications in subsection C(1)(b) for marijuana trafficking offenses. The change applies to all marijuana possession cases meeting this new threshold, not just medical marijuana.
HB 1082 modifies Oklahoma's child custody laws to prioritize joint custody arrangements when appropriate. It creates a rebuttable presumption that joint custody and equal parenting time are in a child's best interest, requiring parents to submit detailed joint custody plans covering living arrangements, child support, healthcare, and school placement. The bill strengthens protections for children and parents affected by child abuse, domestic violence, stalking, or harassment by establishing a rebuttable presumption against shared custody with perpetrators and making safety the primary factor in custody decisions. This law directly affects parents involved in Oklahoma custody disputes and courts handling such cases, effective November 1, 2025.
This bill from the Oklahoma House of Representatives formally recognizes May 10 through May 15, 2026, as National Police Week and May 15, 2026, as Peace Officers Memorial Day within the state. The resolution honors law enforcement officers who serve with integrity and acknowledges those who have died or been injured while performing their duties. It specifically expresses condolences to the families of six Oklahoma officers who lost their lives in the line of duty during the previous year. This measure is a commemorative action that does not alter laws or create new policies but serves to recognize and remember the sacrifices made by police officers.
This Oklahoma House Resolution officially designates the month of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month within the state. The measure honors the historical contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander communities to Oklahoma and the nation, citing their roles in building the transcontinental railroad, serving in the military, and establishing local cultural districts. By passing this resolution, the legislature formally acknowledges the significant cultural and economic impact of these communities without altering any existing laws or policies.
SB 1884 ensures school districts grant statewide professional educators' associations (like teacher unions) equal access to school employees for activities such as distributing materials, speaking at meetings, and using school facilities. It prohibits schools from conditioning this access on fees, meals, or donations and requires districts to notify the State Board of Education if access is denied within 15 days. The bill also allows school employees to terminate membership in these associations at any time without restrictions or requiring a reason, and invalidates any existing agreements that limit this right. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, applying directly to school employees and educators' associations in Oklahoma.
SB 2143 allows Oklahoma county assessors to use digital visual technology - such as drones, satellite imagery, or photos - for inspecting real property when determining property tax values, instead of requiring in-person visits. It updates tax code definitions (specifically Sections 2802 and 2821 of Title 68) to explicitly include "digital visual technology" as a valid inspection method. This change directly affects county tax assessors and property owners, as it modernizes how property values are assessed. The bill aims to improve efficiency in the assessment process while maintaining statutory accuracy standards.
