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.
SB 1837 requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to seek a federal exemption allowing Medicaid providers in rural counties (population ≤60,000) to provide case management and develop person-centered plans for home- and community-based services. This directly affects rural healthcare providers who currently face restrictions under federal regulation 42 C.F.R. §441.301(c)(1)(vi). The bill mandates OHCA to establish conflict-of-interest protections for exempt providers, separating case management and provider functions within organizations. The exemption would permit these rural providers to deliver services without federal barriers, effective November 1, 2026.
SB 1953, the Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, requires group health plans and public employee health plans in Oklahoma to ensure contracts with health insurers and service providers include full access to medical records, billing details, and payment documentation. It prohibits contracts from limiting information sharing about patient care or costs, mandates HIPAA-compliant disclosures, and requires itemized cost breakdowns for covered services. This directly affects employers offering health benefits, insurers, and healthcare providers by standardizing data access and transparency in coverage arrangements. The law aims to improve clarity for plan participants regarding medical expenses and service coverage under Oklahoma's health insurance framework.
SB 1305 allows Oklahoma's Medical Marijuana Authority to contract with third-party vendors to handle employee credentialing for medical marijuana businesses. The bill requires the Authority to approve or deny vendor applications within 30 days and sets strict vendor requirements, including IRS 501(c)(3) status and training plans covering state laws, patient privacy, and safe handling. Employees must complete annual training (minimum one hour per topic) on these subjects to maintain credentials. The law affects all medical marijuana business employees and businesses requiring credentialing, effective July 1, 2026.
SB 1638 amends Oklahoma's Governmental Tort Claims Act to clarify definitions of "charitable health care provider" and "community health care provider," specifically expanding protections for entities serving indigent patients. It authorizes courts to award claimants' legal costs and fees when they successfully sue state or local government entities for negligence. This change directly affects individuals and organizations filing tort claims against government bodies, particularly health care providers who offer free or low-cost services to medically indigent residents. The bill modifies Sections 152 and 154 of the act to streamline these claims while ensuring claimants who win can recover their litigation expenses.
SB 1383 requires Oklahoma Medicaid to cover diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) for beneficiaries with diabetes. It mandates the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to develop a state plan amendment for this coverage after completing a feasibility study and reporting on costs, clinical evidence, and pilot results. The bill defines DSMES as personalized education covering healthy eating, physical activity, blood sugar monitoring, and medication management. This policy change directly affects Oklahoma Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with diabetes by expanding their covered health services. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2026.
SB 1329 requires Medicaid providers in Oklahoma to screen women for postpartum depression during any in-person visit with a Medicaid member or her infant within one year after childbirth. This screening must be reimbursed under the state Medicaid program, directly affecting Medicaid providers and pregnant/postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid. The bill mandates the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to seek necessary federal approval and develop implementing rules. It becomes effective November 1, 2026, aiming to integrate mental health checks into routine postpartum care.
SB 1421 requires all clinical staff, direct care staff, and volunteers working with minor children in Oklahoma mental health facilities or programs certified by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to complete nonphysical intervention training. The training covers nonviolent conflict resolution, communication skills, and promoting dignity, and must be completed within 30 days of hire with annual updates. Staff or volunteers cannot intervene with a minor child without this training. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, applying to facilities receiving state funding through contracts with the Department.
SB 1591 limits THC content in medical marijuana edibles, capping individual products at 10 milligrams of THC and packages at 100 milligrams. It also requires packaging to minimize appeal to children, prohibits targeting under-21s with imagery, and mandates specific warning labels (e.g., "For use by licensed patients only," "Keep out of reach of children"). The bill directly affects medical marijuana processors and dispensaries by setting these product standards and requiring monthly reporting on production and sales. It does not change patient access or recreational use, focusing solely on safety and labeling for medical products.
SB 1564 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid program (Oklahoma Health Care Authority and its contractors) to use a specific billing code (HCPCS G0330) for facility fees related to dental surgeries under general anesthesia in operating rooms. This applies exclusively to surgeries performed on individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, such as those at ambulatory surgical centers. The bill mandates that the Authority set a reimbursement rate reflecting actual service costs, and all contractors must pay at least that rate for these claims. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.
