House Bill 2392 amends Oklahoma law concerning child custody and guardianship decisions, directly affecting parents, nonparents, and children involved in such proceedings. The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that a parent is "affirmatively unfit" if they are a registered sex offender, have certain criminal convictions (like domestic abuse within five years), or reside with someone who meets these criteria. It also explicitly prohibits awarding custody to any person convicted of specific severe crimes involving sexual abuse or exploitation of a child. This legislation modifies the legal standards courts apply when determining who can receive custody or guardianship of a child.
HB 1091 updates Oklahoma's Firefighters Pension and Retirement System rules for active and retired firefighters. It modifies death benefit calculations, clarifies when members can get refunded contributions, and adds options for repaying contributions through amortized payments. The bill also restricts purchasing military service credit and credited service, requires payment before benefits start, and allows volunteer firefighters to buy military credit under new rules. These changes directly affect all Oklahoma firefighters enrolled in the system and the State Board that administers it.
HB 1124 modifies the composition of Oklahoma's Statewide Recovery Fund. This bill clarifies that the fund will include legislative appropriations and certain federal monies from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, such as the Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. It specifically excludes funds from the American Rescue Plan Act that are designated for non-entitlement units of local government from being deposited into this particular state fund. Additionally, all interest and income generated by the fund will be reinvested into it. The changes outlined in this bill will take effect on November 1, 2025.
House Bill 1413 amends Oklahoma law concerning stalking offenses. It clarifies that specific pleas or findings of guilt for stalking violations will be counted as convictions for sentencing purposes. The bill outlines different felony levels for stalking, with increased penalties for repeat offenses, violations of protective orders, or prior violent crime convictions against the same victim. It also provides detailed definitions for what constitutes "harassment" and a "course of conduct" in stalking cases, covering various forms of unwanted contact.
House Bill 1588, known as the Spring Creek Watershed Study Act, directs the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to undertake a comprehensive water quality plan for the Spring Creek watershed, located in Cherokee, Delaware, and Mayes counties. This plan aims to improve and protect the water quality and aquatic habitat through voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs. The Commission is required to publish an electronic report of its findings by June 1, 2026, and may partner with federal agencies and accept grants. A dedicated revolving fund is established in the State Treasury to support these study and implementation efforts.
House Bill 1278 establishes the Barbara Weber Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Grant Program, administered by the State Department of Health. This program provides funds to support ALS research and offer assistance to Oklahoma residents living with ALS or caring for an afflicted family member. It creates a dedicated revolving fund in the State Treasury for the program, which will hold appropriations, donations, and grants. The bill initially appropriates $1,000,000 for the program and requires annual reports on grant awards. This initiative directly affects Oklahoma residents impacted by ALS and organizations involved in ALS research and support.
House Bill 2111 amends the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act, updating regulations related to motor vehicle titling. The bill modifies certain exceptions within the Act and removes outdated or defunct language from the statute. These changes aim to clarify and streamline the requirements for vehicle owners in Oklahoma regarding certificates of title, such as eliminating time-sensitive provisions about security interests in all-terrain vehicles.
HB 2215 removes the authority for law enforcement officers in Oklahoma to seize a vehicle's license plate when citing a driver for failing to maintain compulsory insurance. Currently, officers can seize plates, issue a temporary citation, and require the driver to provide proof of insurance and pay an administrative fee to retrieve the plate. This bill eliminates that specific enforcement action. It directly affects motor vehicle owners and operators who are found to be driving without insurance, as well as law enforcement procedures for addressing such violations. Other penalties for uninsured driving, such as fines, imprisonment, and vehicle towing, may still apply.
Senate Bill 730 updates the duties of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics. It establishes the "AeroSPACE Program," a partnership with educational institutions and industry to create a statewide strategy for aerospace education and prepare students for aviation and aerospace careers. The bill requires the Department to annually develop a five-year Airport Construction Program for infrastructure funding and a statewide airport system plan outlining long-term development for public-use airports. To be eligible for state financial assistance, airport projects must now be included in both the five-year construction program and the statewide airport system plan.
SB 452 creates the "Blythe Ashley Harland Act" and designates October 25 as "Dwarfism Awareness Day" in Oklahoma. The bill formally establishes this annual observance date without imposing new regulations, funding, or requirements on any specific group or entity. It is a symbolic designation intended to raise awareness about dwarfism, with the act taking effect on October 1, 2025. This is a procedural bill focused solely on recognition, not substantive policy change.
Senate Bill 541 updates Oklahoma's laws related to crimes and punishments, specifically modifying provisions for assault and battery offenses. It expands the list of crimes for which individuals must serve at least 85% of their sentence, including certain assault and battery offenses as defined in Section 644. The bill also redefines and creates new categories for domestic abuse, establishing specific penalties for offenses involving a dangerous or deadly weapon. Additionally, it introduces new offenses and stricter penalties for domestic abuse committed against pregnant women or resulting in great bodily injury. These changes aim to modify sentencing requirements and define specific forms of assault and battery.
Senate Bill 1019 requires health insurance providers to cover certain anesthesia services without imposing time limits or restricting payment for "anesthesia time." The bill defines "anesthesia time" as the period an anesthesia practitioner prepares and furnishes services to a patient, and "payments for anesthesia service" based on prevailing medical coding standards. This directly affects health insurers and individuals undergoing medical or surgical procedures requiring anesthesia. Specifically, insurers cannot enforce policies that limit the duration of covered anesthesia or exclude its payment. The law became effective on November 1, 2025.
