HB 2144 creates a new legal cause of action for Oklahoma insurance policyholders and third parties who suffer unreasonable delays or denials of benefits by insurers, defining "bad faith" as violating an insurer’s duty of good faith and fair dealing. It prohibits insurers from including clauses reserving discretion to interpret policies or deny claims, eliminates the need to exhaust administrative remedies before suing, and guarantees jury trials for bad faith claims. The bill applies to all insurance policies issued in Oklahoma (including health, disability, and employee benefits), directly affecting insured individuals, businesses, and third parties who rely on insurance contracts. Key provisions clarify that insurers must pay valid claims promptly, and claimants can seek damages for unreasonable refusals or delays without first appealing to the Oklahoma Insurance Department.
HB 2964 allows Oklahoma patients to access their medical records and receive copies for specific, standardized fees. Patients pay 50 cents per page for standard copies, $15 for x-rays, and $20 for digital media, while excluding psychiatric records from these rules (which follow separate state law). Correctional facilities may withhold inmate medical records if release threatens safety or security. The bill also requires waiver of medical privilege in personal injury cases where a patient’s health history is relevant to the claim.
HB 3130 prohibits Oklahoma state agencies, contractors, and public institutions from using state funds for gender transition procedures for minors, including allocation, referral, or contracting with providers offering such care. It also protects parents' rights by stating that withholding consent for gender transition procedures does not constitute child abuse or grounds for losing custody. The bill amends medical licensure laws to classify aiding or abetting gender transition procedures as unprofessional conduct, subjecting medical professionals to disciplinary action by licensing boards. These provisions apply directly to state-funded healthcare providers, minors receiving medical care, and licensed physicians or medical staff.
HB 3342, the "Oklahoma Medicaid Audit Bill of Rights Act," establishes new rules for Medicaid audits of healthcare providers. It requires auditors to provide at least one week's notice before an audit, limits audit scope to 50 claims or 0.25% of a provider's billed claims (whichever is greater), bans the use of extrapolation to calculate overpayments, and mandates that audits involving clinical judgment be conducted by specialists in the same field. The bill also guarantees providers 60 days to respond to audit findings, prohibits recoupment for simple clerical errors, and requires clear appeals processes. These changes directly protect healthcare providers who bill Oklahoma's Medicaid program by making audit procedures more transparent and fair.
HB 3266 amends Oklahoma law to expand the definition of Class D2 felony offenses, adding 22 specific violations including reckless driving that causes a collision (Section 11-901, item 10). It also includes multiple abortion-related offenses such as performing abortions after the first trimester, violating pain-awareness laws, and conducting abortions on minors without consent (items 11-19). The bill specifies penalties: Class D2 felons face up to 2 years in prison (with 20% mandatory service), increasing to 5-10 years for repeat offenders. It exempts certain offenses (like abortion violations) from these penalties, instead applying existing statutes. This bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses under Oklahoma Statutes.
HB 3975 establishes the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program (ORHT) to manage federal funds for rural health initiatives, designating the Oklahoma State Department of Health (ODH) as the lead agency responsible for overseeing these funds and reporting to state officials. The bill creates an Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Revolving Fund to hold federal funds, requiring ODH to submit annual reports to state leaders and quarterly public updates on fund expenditures and project progress. It mandates ODH to align program outcomes with federal reporting requirements to ensure proper oversight of funds received through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
HB 4092 establishes Oklahoma's statewide 988 Mental Health Lifeline system to provide 24/7 crisis support. It designates the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) as the lead agency to oversee suicide prevention and crisis services, including coordinating with designated 988 Lifeline Crisis Centers. The bill creates a 988 Trust Fund to finance the system, mandates performance and clinical standards for crisis services (such as mobile crisis teams and urgent recovery centers), and requires real-time coordination between emergency response systems. This directly affects Oklahomans in mental health crises by ensuring accessible, standardized care through phone, text, or in-person support. The law takes effect upon passage.
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.
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.
