HB 4285 creates a dedicated revolving fund called the "Perinatal Quality Improvement Revolving Fund" within Oklahoma's State Treasury. The fund will receive state and federal appropriations, donations, and grants to support the Oklahoma Department of Health in reducing preventable maternal and infant deaths and health complications. It allows the Department to collaborate with research groups across Oklahoma to improve maternal safety and health outcomes using these pooled resources. The fund is designed as a continuous funding source, not limited to annual budgets, to sustain long-term quality improvement efforts in perinatal care. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 4329 modifies Oklahoma law to clarify dental insurance claim processes. It defines "covered services" as those reimbursable under a subscriber agreement, regardless of deductibles or waiting periods. The bill requires dental plans to establish appeal procedures for denied claims based on medical necessity and mandates that written denial notices include the reviewing dentist's license details and contact information. This directly affects dentists and dental insurance plans in Oklahoma by standardizing claim denial processes and improving transparency. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 4490 creates the Oklahoma Families Thriving Everywhere Now (OFTEN) program through the Oklahoma State Department of Health, using $3 million in state funds for the 2027 fiscal year. The program provides telecare support, community outreach, and care coordination for women with high-risk pregnancies and parents of children under three, aiming to promote healthy childbirth, stable family formation, and economic self-sufficiency. Services include referrals, case management, and parenting assistance delivered by Oklahoma-based community providers. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and includes an emergency declaration to accelerate implementation.
SB 392 extends the expiration date of Oklahoma's Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Council from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026. The council, which advises on standards for nursing homes, residential care facilities, and adult day care services, continues with its existing structure of 13 members including healthcare professionals and public representatives over age 65. This extension ensures uninterrupted review of care quality, facility regulations, and enforcement under the Nursing Home Care, Residential Care, and Adult Day Care Acts. The bill does not alter the council's duties or membership requirements.
SB 202 modifies eligibility rules for self-funded health plans to participate in Oklahoma's Medicaid premium assistance program. It allows small businesses and public entities using self-funded health plans to qualify if the plan was already used by an employer in the program as of May 1, 2024, or if it’s owned by a local government public trust. This change specifically affects small employers (under 250 employees) and public-sector health plans seeking to access state premium assistance. The bill aims to expand coverage options for low-income workers by making more health plan types eligible for state-funded premium support.
This bill authorizes an emergency appropriation of approximately $19.66 million to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The funds must come from the Rate Preservation Fund in the State Treasury and are designated specifically for Title XIX services, which are Medicaid-funded mental health and substance abuse programs. The legislation includes an emergency provision, allowing the funding to take effect immediately upon the governor's approval without waiting for the regular budget cycle. This action provides direct financial resources to the state agency responsible for administering mental health and substance abuse services.
HB 1484, known as "Rain's Law," requires Oklahoma public schools to provide annual, research-based instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students in grades 6 through 12. The bill mandates that this instruction cover suicide prevention, fentanyl abuse and addiction prevention, local resource access, and health education about fentanyl use. Schools must incorporate this content into health classes, and the State Department of Education will develop curriculum standards and resources to support implementation. The law also designates a week for "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week" to align with National Red Ribbon Week, with age-appropriate instruction determined by each school district.
HB 3324 creates a statewide health platform to connect Oklahoma's hospitals, emergency medical services (EMS), and public health entities through a unified, cloud-based system. The platform must provide real-time communication tools - including live video consultations, ECG/image sharing, and emergency alerts - for time-sensitive cases like strokes, heart attacks, and mass casualty incidents. It establishes a revolving fund in the state treasury, funded by state/federal appropriations and donations, to implement and maintain this system. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires all eligible health entities to use the platform for emergency coordination.
HB 3714 appropriates $1,000,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund for the Barbara Weber ALS Grant Program during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds will support the Oklahoma State Department of Health in administering grants to assist individuals diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The bill authorizes the use of these funds to cover program operations but does not establish new eligibility criteria or services. It becomes effective July 1, 2026, and includes an emergency clause for immediate implementation. This is a funding authorization for an existing program, not a new policy.
HB 3699 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid agency (OHCA) to seek federal approval for a supplemental reimbursement rate for physician practices, community health workers, and nonprofits already enrolled in Oklahoma's patient-centered medical home program. This rate specifically supports pediatric care for children from birth to age four, covering wellness visits and funding interdisciplinary staff needed to implement team-based care aligned with Bright Futures screening guidelines (at 9, 18, and 30 months). Providers must verify ongoing participation in evidence-based pediatric practice models through annual documentation. The bill mandates OHCA to periodically review the rate during future Medicaid physician service rate adjustments and takes effect November 1, 2026.
