HB 1458 modifies the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) rules for death benefits, affecting beneficiaries, heirs, and funeral service providers. It allows OPERS to pay death benefits, unpaid contributions, or other unpaid benefits up to $25,000 directly to a deceased member's heirs without requiring probate court intervention, provided specific documentation is submitted. Additionally, the bill permits a designated beneficiary to disclaim their death benefit. If disclaimed, those funds can be transferred to a licensed funeral director or funeral service business for the deceased member's services. These provisions aim to streamline the distribution of benefits and provide options for covering funeral expenses.
Senate Bill 681 amends Oklahoma's property tax law regarding notices of increased property valuation. The bill requires county assessors to include specific information in these notices sent to property owners. For real property classified as a homestead, the notice must now include information about the constitutional limit on the fair cash value of the property. This change aims to ensure homeowners are informed about potential limitations on their property's valuation increases.
SB 806, known as the "Food is Medicine Act," aims to expand nutrition services. The bill creates specific incentives for entities contracted with Medicaid. These provisions are designed to broaden the availability of nutrition services to individuals.
Senate Bill 630 amends Oklahoma's existing laws regarding rape by expanding the scope of the offense. It adds a new circumstance to the definition of rape, specifically addressing situations involving students and employees of higher education institutions. Under this bill, sexual intercourse is considered rape if the victim is a secondary school student concurrently enrolled at an institution of higher education, and the perpetrator is an employee of that institution. The bill also defines what constitutes an "employee of an institution of higher education" for this section. This change is set to become effective on November 1, 2025.
Senate Bill 553 requires the State Department of Education to revoke the professional certificates of school employees who are convicted of knowingly and willfully failing to report suspected child abuse or neglect. This bill amends existing state law to specifically include this offense as a mandatory reason for certificate revocation and denial of issuance. It also adds this as a basis for the State Board of Education to revoke or suspend a license or certificate.
Senate Bill 690 amends current law regarding earned credits for inmates in state correctional institutions. The bill authorizes specific inmates to reduce their prison terms monthly based on their participation in work, education, and programs, and their conduct, through a class-level system. It also prohibits the transfer of certain earned credits. Inmates serving life sentences or convicted of crimes resulting in the death of a law enforcement or corrections officer are not eligible for these credit deductions. The bill also updates statutory language to be gender-neutral.
HB 1731 clarifies and expands the definition of child endangerment in Oklahoma law, directly affecting parents, guardians, or individuals with custody or control over a child. The bill specifies that child endangerment occurs when a person knowingly permits physical or sexual abuse, allows a child to be present during drug manufacturing, or permits a child to be in a vehicle with an impaired driver. It also covers a driver who is impaired while transporting a child. An affirmative defense is available if the person feared substantial bodily harm by intervening, and the bill does not apply to those using spiritual means for a child's care. Violations are punishable as a felony.
SB 1076 modifies definitions within the Administrative Workers' Compensation Act. An amendment to the bill specifically increased a wage threshold from $135,000 to $150,000. This change likely impacts individuals whose workers' compensation benefits or eligibility are determined by this specific wage amount under the Act.
Senate Bill 987 establishes the Oklahoma Department of Commerce Board, which will oversee the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and influence the state's economic development strategies. This bill outlines the qualifications, terms, and procedures for the new Board members, and shifts the power to appoint the Department's Chief Executive Officer from the Governor to this newly created Board. The Board will also be responsible for approving the state's five-year economic development plan and will operate under the Oklahoma Open Meeting and Open Records Acts.
Senate Bill 515 allows individuals with health insurance plans in Oklahoma to pay directly for covered health care services if they negotiate a price lower than their plan's average allowed amount. If an enrollee chooses this option, the health care provider must accept the negotiated payment as payment in full. The enrollee can then submit documentation to their health insurance carrier. The carrier is required to count the full amount the enrollee paid out-of-pocket towards their deductible and annual maximum out-of-pocket expenses, whether the provider was in-network or out-of-network.
SB 1066 requires the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) to establish and maintain a registry for physicians who recommend medical marijuana. To be listed on this registry, physicians must complete specific initial and ongoing medical education related to medical marijuana. The bill also mandates that OMMA implement a comprehensive statewide seed-to-sale inventory tracking system for all medical marijuana businesses. These businesses will be required to use or integrate with this system and maintain detailed records of all transactions, cultivation, and product movement.
Senate Bill 1073 amends Oklahoma law concerning wildlife seasons, primarily affecting the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission and individuals who hunt mountain lions. The bill mandates that any open season declared for hunting mountain lions must be administered through a lottery system. This change dictates how permits for mountain lion hunting will be allocated by the Commission. The act also updates some existing statutory language regarding the Commission's authority over wildlife seasons and is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.
