HB 3793 establishes new training hour requirements for nursing education programs in Oklahoma. It mandates that diploma programs for registered nurses must total 1,300-1,500 hours (including clinical training), while LPN-to-RN ladder programs must provide 600-700 additional nursing hours beyond LPN education. Non-nursing coursework in both program types is capped at 330 hours. The bill affects nursing programs seeking state approval and takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3682, the Oklahoma Clean Indoor Air Act, prohibits smoking in most indoor public spaces including workplaces, restaurants, bars, government buildings, schools, stores, and public transportation starting November 1, 2026. It allows exceptions for tobacco shops with proper ventilation, private residences (except for childcare/health services), designated hotel smoking rooms (limited percentage), and tribal lands. Establishments must display clear "No Smoking" signage, and the State Department of Health will create enforcement rules. Local governments may adopt stricter smoking bans than this state law.
HB 3887 removes a 30-day limit requiring physical therapists to obtain a doctor's referral for patient care in Oklahoma. It allows physical therapists (including those working directly for employers) to provide treatment without a referral for up to 30 days, after which a referral from a physician, dentist, chiropractor, podiatrist, or advanced nurse is required. The bill specifically exempts care for children under federal education laws (IDEA/Section 504) and allows physical therapists to offer wellness/prevention services without referrals. It does not change requirements for students, federal employees, or prevent physical therapists from performing screening or educational services. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3784 restricts medical micropigmentation (permanent makeup for medical purposes, such as scar camouflage or breast reconstruction) to be performed only in physician offices. It limits who can perform the procedure to three categories: physicians, registered nurses with a special health commissioner certificate working under physician supervision (after 6,240 supervised hours), and other certified individuals under similar supervision rules. Supervision ends once the required hours are documented with the State Board of Health and prescription medications aren't used on clients. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 4410 regulates referral agencies that connect seniors to assisted living facilities. It requires agencies to provide clear, written disclosures to consumers before referrals, including fee details, payment responsibility, and the right to terminate services without penalty. The bill prohibits agencies from charging fees for facility transfers within the same provider, after 12 months of service, or for referrals to unlicensed facilities. It also bans conflicts of interest (like owning facilities they refer to) and mandates background checks, insurance, and annual facility license audits for referral agencies. These changes directly affect consumers choosing care, referral agencies, and assisted living facilities.
SB 207 establishes the Oklahoma Rare Disease Advisory Council within the State Department of Health to address the needs of Oklahomans living with rare diseases (defined as conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people nationally). The Council, composed of 13 diverse members including patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and industry representatives, will conduct public hearings, develop policy recommendations, and create emergency care protocols to improve access to specialists, diagnostics, and equitable treatment. The bill also modifies Oklahoma’s newborn screening program to require an educational initiative for treatable genetic disorders, aiming to prevent intellectual disabilities and reduce infant mortality through early intervention. This legislation directly affects rare disease patients, their families, healthcare providers, and state agencies responsible for public health programs in Oklahoma.
SB 1039 modifies Oklahoma's medical marijuana licensing system. It establishes a new Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to process applications, sets a $100 biannual fee (or $20 for Medicaid/Medicare/SoonerCare users) for patient licenses, and creates three license types: standard two-year licenses, 60-day short-term licenses for patients with limited physician recommendations, and 30-day temporary licenses for out-of-state patients from regulated states. The bill requires the Authority to review applications within 14 business days and provide written denial reasons, while also creating caregiver licenses for homebound patients with specific limits. This law directly affects Oklahoma residents seeking medical marijuana access, out-of-state visitors with valid programs, and caregivers.
HB 2513, titled the "Oklahoma Mental Health Reform Act of 2025," proposed creating a position requiring an individual with specific qualifications to address the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services' court-ordered consent decree. The bill specified requirements for this appointee and included an emergency provision. It was scheduled to take effect November 1, 2025, but was pocket-vetoed by the Governor on May 30, 2025, with the veto taking effect June 15, 2025, meaning it never became law. The bill directly affected the Department's compliance with its existing legal agreement but was not enacted.
HB 2645 creates a tax credit for qualifying doctors practicing medicine in rural Oklahoma, directly affecting licensed physicians who meet specific residency and education criteria. The credit, capped at $20,000 per year per doctor, applies to taxable income from medical practice in designated rural areas (population under 25,000 and at least 25 miles from larger cities). The bill includes an annual $1 million total credit limit, with adjustments to prevent exceeding this cap. The bill was pocket-vetoed by the governor on June 15, 2025, and never became law.
HB 2262 requires nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other care providers marketing specialized dementia care to publicly disclose detailed information about their services. Facilities must submit a standardized form to Oklahoma's State Department of Health, covering staff ratios, care plans, facility design, activities, fees, and family involvement - ensuring transparency for residents and families considering placement. The bill mandates posting this disclosure online and in facilities, with the Department reviewing it during inspections. It directly affects dementia care providers and supports informed decisions by families seeking appropriate care.
