HB 1001, known as "Lauria and Ashley's Law," requires individuals convicted of 23 specific serious crimes - including murder, rape, child exploitation, trafficking, and certain violent assaults - to serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole. It prohibits earned credits or other reductions that would shorten sentences below this 85% threshold. The law applies to all offenders convicted of these designated offenses and takes effect November 1, 2025. It was signed into law by the Governor on May 5, 2025.
SB 544 creates an Identity Verification Unit (IVU) within Oklahoma's Department of Public Safety to investigate fraudulent identification documents, including those used by individuals unlawfully residing in the state. It requires all driver's license applicants (with exceptions for seniors over 65 and minors under 18 needing parental consent) to provide fingerprint scans for identity verification. The bill restricts access to fingerprint data to law enforcement only with a court order (except for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation in specific cases like identifying deceased or missing persons). It also updates laws against fraudulent licenses and mandates new rules for Service Oklahoma. The bill was enacted as an emergency measure and signed into law on May 3, 2025.
Oklahoma's SB 552 bans state agencies that receive federal or state funds from using biotechnology equipment or services from companies designated by the federal government as "biotechnology companies of concern" (entities controlled by foreign adversaries posing national security risks through multiomics data collection). The bill specifically targets the use of multiomics technology - which combines data from genomics, proteomics, and other biological research areas - to prevent potential security threats. State agencies cannot contract with entities using such biotechnology, and the law only takes effect after a comparable federal law is enacted. This directly affects all Oklahoma state agencies managing federal or state funds, requiring them to avoid specific biotech vendors.
SB 369 expands the definition of aggravated assault and battery against law enforcement officers in Oklahoma. It specifically includes attempts to gain control of an officer's firearm or strangulation as qualifying offenses. The law applies to police officers, sheriffs, deputies, highway patrol officers, corrections personnel, and state/federal peace officers enforcing state laws while on duty. This change makes those specific acts punishable as a felony with penalties including up to life in prison or a $5,000 fine. The bill was approved by the governor on May 3, 2025, and is now in effect.
HB 1585 establishes mandatory training requirements for pharmacy technicians in Oklahoma. It requires pharmacy technicians to complete two phases of training: Phase I before receiving a permit, and Phase II within 90 days of permit issuance. Pharmacy managers must develop, document, and verify all training, with failure to complete Phase II voiding the permit. The law directly affects pharmacy technicians seeking permits, their employers (pharmacy managers), and the Oklahoma Pharmacy Board, which oversees compliance. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
SB 450 repeals two sections (5301 and 5302) of Oklahoma's statutes that established the Oklahoma Military Base Closure Prevention Task Force. This procedural bill eliminates the legal basis for the task force without creating new policy or affecting any specific groups. The repeal becomes effective November 1, 2025. The bill does not change any government operations or impose new requirements.
HB 1565 amends the Oklahoma Children's Code, primarily affecting how child abuse and neglect referrals are handled by the Department of Human Services (DHS) and school employees. It mandates that DHS immediately report in writing to local law enforcement any referrals alleging abuse or neglect where the perpetrator is not responsible for the child's welfare, and requires DHS to maintain a record of these transmissions. Additionally, the bill directs school employees to report suspected abuse or neglect of students under 18 to both DHS and local law enforcement, while ensuring confidentiality for the reporting employee. These provisions aim to strengthen the reporting and investigation process for child abuse and neglect.
House Bill 1187 amends the Oklahoma Employees Insurance and Benefits Act, affecting active state employees eligible for state insurance plans. It allows these employees to opt out of the state's basic health and dental plan, or the entire basic plan, if they are covered by a separate group health insurance plan. Employees opting out must provide annual proof of alternative coverage and an affidavit, and they will receive $150 in lieu of their flexible benefit amount. Any savings realized by the state from employees opting out of health insurance coverage will be retained by the state. This act will become effective on November 1, 2025.
Senate Bill 794 directs the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to establish new student teaching requirements for teacher candidates in accredited educator preparation programs. These requirements must include either a minimum number of weeks of field experience or completion of a qualified job-embedded, competency-based teacher registered apprenticeship program. The bill defines a "teacher registered apprenticeship program" as one combining on-the-job training with academic instruction. The Commission is also tasked with creating rules to implement these new provisions. This bill primarily affects individuals seeking to become teachers in the state.
HB 1585 establishes new training requirements for pharmacy technicians in Oklahoma, directly affecting pharmacy managers, pharmacists, and technician applicants. It mandates that pharmacy managers develop and implement a two-phase training program for technicians, aligning with Board-approved guidelines. Applicants must complete Phase I before applying for a permit and Phase II within 90 days of permit issuance; failure to complete Phase II automatically voids the permit. The bill also requires pharmacy managers to ensure annual continuing on-the-job training for technicians, with all training documentation maintained for Board inspection. This act will become effective on November 1, 2025.
SB 341 establishes a formal process for Oklahoma's Department of Transportation to sell state-owned railroad properties, requiring a 120-day request for proposal (RFP) period for interested buyers. It mandates that the Department evaluate proposals with input from the Department of Commerce (which may conduct an economic impact study), then submit a recommendation to the Transportation Commission for final approval. Proceeds from all sales must be deposited into the Oklahoma Railroad Maintenance Revolving Fund, and lease-purchase agreements must base final purchase prices on the railroad's operation value as appraised within the previous two years. This directly affects state-owned railroad assets, potential buyers, and the Transportation Commission's approval authority.
HB 1076, the "Food Truck Freedom Act," authorizes mobile food vendors with a state food establishment license to operate across Oklahoma while limiting local government restrictions. It requires local authorities to recognize valid state licenses within five business days and prohibits them from imposing conflicting rules (like extra permits, GPS tracking, or distance limits from other businesses). Vendors may operate on private property in permitted zoning districts with owner permission or at residential gatherings (max 12 days/year), but must maintain waste disposal, display licenses, and notify health authorities 10 days before temporary events. The bill also clarifies that state health rules cannot mandate unnecessary requirements like handwashing sinks for prepackaged food vendors.
