House Bill 1376 modifies the structure and governance of the Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence (OAME), a private non-profit corporation that assists small and medium-sized manufacturing firms in Oklahoma, with a special emphasis on minority businesses. The bill increases the number of elected representatives on OAME's Board of Directors from member firms. It also adjusts the state governmental ex officio members, adding representation from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, while removing the Chancellor of Higher Education. Additionally, the bill reduces the maximum number of associate members or unaffiliated persons who can serve on the Board.
HB 1566, also known as "Neil's Law" and the "Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act," creates a new civil action in Oklahoma for incapacitated persons and vulnerable adults. This bill allows these individuals, often through their legal representatives, to sue those who have abused, neglected, or exploited them. It defines what constitutes abuse, neglect, and exploitation, as well as who is considered an incapacitated or vulnerable adult. The act aims to protect the rights of these individuals and encourage their maximum self-reliance and independence.
HB 1777 modifies the Oklahoma Citizens Participation Act, a law designed to protect individuals from lawsuits intended to silence free speech. This bill specifies several types of legal actions that will no longer be subject to the Act's provisions. These exclusions include state enforcement actions, lawsuits against businesses regarding sales of goods or services, claims for bodily injury or wrongful death, and disputes related to insurance contracts. It also excludes certain civil actions arising from employment or contractor relationships, such as those involving trade secrets or non-disclosure agreements. These changes, affecting parties in such litigation, will take effect on November 1, 2025.
This bill expands the Oklahoma Medicaid Advisory Committee by adding a representative from a federally recognized American Indian tribe and a member representing contracted health entities, bringing the total committee membership to 16 people. The legislation also clarifies appointment terms to a maximum of four consecutive years and establishes bimonthly meetings to review Medicaid policy, finances, and program administration. Committee members will serve without pay but receive travel reimbursement, and the state Medicaid Authority must consider their recommendations when making policy decisions. The law takes effect on November 1, 2025, and applies to all state Medicaid program operations and oversight activities.
SB 949 modifies the responsibilities and powers of the Office of Client Advocacy (OCA). It authorizes the OCA to inspect juvenile court records and Department of Human Services records pertaining to children without a court order. The bill also clarifies investigation provisions for vulnerable adults and transfers certain duties related to the community services worker registry to the OCA. Additionally, it requires the OCA to promptly report its investigative findings to the Department of Human Services.
Senate Bill 947 updates Oklahoma statutes related to long-term care services and funding for senior citizens. It amends provisions concerning the Nursing Facilities Quality of Care Fee, which is assessed on licensed nursing facilities. This fee, combined with federal funds, supports the Nursing Facility Quality of Care Fund. The fund pays for services such as fifteen ombudsmen, ten nursing facility inspectors, and various Medicaid services for eligible residents, including an increase in the personal needs allowance for nursing home residents from $30 to $50 per month.
HB 2744 reappropriates $20 million to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. These funds, originally from the Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity Fund, are designated for facility upgrades. The purpose is to construct improvements such as fairground arena connectors and electrical infrastructure at facilities hosting statewide livestock events in central Oklahoma. This bill ensures the original funding for these projects remains available, adjusted for any amounts already spent.
HB 1847 directs the Department of Human Services to collaborate with the State Fire Marshal to develop fire protection guidelines for family and large child care homes. These guidelines will allow these facilities to operate under the requirements of the International Fire Code. The bill specifies that child care homes complying with the International Fire Code cannot be denied a license based on fire requirements. Additionally, no state or local government entity may impose stricter fire regulations on these child care homes than those outlined in the International Fire Code.
House Bill 1547 updates the operational guidelines for agricultural fairs and expositions in Oklahoma. It expands the permissible uses of funds for free district, township, and county fairs to include digital and electronic communication, internet, and supporting equipment. The bill also revises the election process for county fair association officers, mandating a 12-hour voting window for leadership positions. Additionally, it establishes new conditions for officer removal, such as failure to attend at least 50% of meetings or through a unanimous vote of other members. These changes directly affect county fair associations, their leadership, and the allocation of funds for fair activities.
SB 331, the Emerson Kate Cole Act, requires Oklahoma school employees to call 911 immediately after administering Epinephrine to a student experiencing an allergic reaction. It also mandates schools to notify parents or guardians when a student has a possible allergic reaction and to provide annual training for teachers and staff on recognizing anaphylaxis and using Epinephrine. The law amends existing school medication policies to clarify procedures for handling allergic emergencies and ensures staff are trained on emergency response. This directly affects students with severe allergies, school employees, and school districts across Oklahoma.
This is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) designating May 5-9, 2025, as Teacher Appreciation Week in Oklahoma. It formally recognizes teachers' contributions to education and communities but does not create new policies, funding, or legal obligations. The resolution honors teachers' roles as educators, mentors, and community supporters without altering any existing laws or programs. It was adopted by the Oklahoma Senate on May 8, 2025, and referred to the Secretary of State for filing.
HB 2647, also known as the Shai Cooper Act, modifies adoption laws by expanding the circumstances under which a court can waive a preplacement home study. This bill allows the waiver option for adoptions where the child is an "immediate relative" of the petitioners or their spouse, defining immediate relatives as brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, or uncles. It directly affects these immediate family members seeking to adopt a child within their family. For a waiver to be granted, the court must find it's in the child's best interest, and the petitioning immediate relative or their spouse must not have a record of certain felony convictions, child abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
