SB 808 clarifies Oklahoma's physical therapy referral rules, allowing licensed physical therapists (and assistants under supervision) to evaluate and treat patients without a doctor's referral for up to 30 days, except for workers' compensation cases. It specifically exempts children receiving physical therapy under federal special education laws (IDEA/504), screening/education services, and non-injury-related fitness/wellness programs. The bill explicitly states physical therapists cannot practice "healing arts" beyond their scope and maintains existing restrictions on non-therapeutic services. Signed into law on April 23, 2025, it takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 2051 creates Oklahoma's "Supervised Physicians Act," establishing a temporary pathway for medical school graduates to practice under supervision. It directly affects Oklahoma medical school graduates who have passed required exams but lack full licensure, requiring them to enter a collaborative practice arrangement with a fully licensed Oklahoma supervising physician who meets specialty qualifications. Key provisions include a two-year temporary license (non-renewable), mandatory identification as a "supervised physician" via name tags/lab coats, and prohibitions against independent practice without the approved arrangement. The bill does not create a full licensure alternative but sets specific rules for this supervised practice period, with oversight by the State Board of Medical Licensure.
HB 2802 amends Oklahoma's licensing laws for professions and occupations to limit when criminal history can block a license. It prohibits denial based on sealed/expunged records, arrests without conviction, or convictions over five years old (unless involving specific violent offenses like domestic abuse or sex offenses). Licensing agencies must now consider factors like the offense's relevance to the job, time passed, rehabilitation efforts, and provide written notice with appeal rights if denying a license. This directly affects applicants with criminal records seeking licenses for jobs like nursing, contracting, or childcare, ensuring decisions are based on specific, relevant criteria rather than vague standards.
HB 1853 requires health insurance plans covering children to provide full, cost-sharing-free coverage for all recommended childhood immunizations (including those mandated by the State Board of Health) from birth through age 18. It also allows policyholders to pay for health care services directly at a negotiated lower rate and submit documentation to have that payment count toward their deductible. The law applies to most health insurance plans (excluding dental, vision, short-term coverage, and others listed in the bill) and takes effect November 1, 2025. This ensures children's routine vaccines are fully covered without out-of-pocket costs for families.
HB 1676, the "Kay Floyd SANE Act," creates a new Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Statewide Coordinator position within Oklahoma's District Attorneys Council. The coordinator will oversee forensic medical exam training, recruit SANE professionals, develop local SANE and Sexual Assault Response Team programs, and manage payments from the Sexual Assault Examination Fund. The role requires a minimum annual salary of $125,000, funded through the District Attorneys Council's appropriations. The position is established until October 1, 2025, with the bill taking effect November 1, 2025. This directly affects county-level sexual assault response systems and SANE program expansion statewide.
SB 741 allows Oklahoma pharmacists to test for and start treatment for minor, nonchronic health conditions (like colds or minor skin infections) under a standing order from a physician or health department director. Pharmacists must use only FDA-approved, CLIA-waived tests for screening and cannot test for strep throat or prescribe antibiotics to children under six. This directly expands pharmacists' clinical role for common, non-serious conditions while requiring specific safeguards. The bill amends Oklahoma's pharmacy law to clarify these new responsibilities and prohibitions.
SB 670 requires health care providers to complete specific continuing education on mental health screening as part of their ongoing training. This applies directly to licensed health care professionals who provide patient care, such as doctors, nurses, and counselors. The bill mandates that this training include standardized mental health screening protocols to be integrated into routine patient evaluations. It does not create new funding or insurance requirements, but instead sets a professional development standard for current providers. The bill is currently pending in committee after passing a committee review with amendments.
SB 1040 amends Oklahoma law to update the appointment process for the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. It removes an outdated requirement that five of six counselor members must have secured licensure by January 1, 2005, and instead mandates that at appointment, five members must be licensed counselors and one must be certified. The bill requires the Governor to appoint four members from a list provided by the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Professional Counselors Association, one from the Oklahoma Substance Abuse Services Alliance, and one from the Oklahoma Citizen Advocates for Recovery and Treatment Association. This change takes effect November 1, 2025, and affects how the board is composed, directly impacting the selection process for state-level alcohol and drug counseling oversight.
SB 1104 requires the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to select a vendor for a statewide inventory tracking system to monitor medical marijuana from cultivation to sale. The system must track key events like planting, harvesting, transportation, and disposal, and maintain detailed records of all products, including batches and transactions. This affects all medical marijuana businesses, research facilities, education centers, and waste disposal facilities, which must integrate their operations with the new system. The bill takes effect on November 1, 2025, aiming to standardize tracking and improve oversight.
SB 534 amends Oklahoma's medical marijuana transportation license rules to allow license holders to transport marijuana directly to patients, in addition to moving it between licensed facilities. This affects existing medical marijuana retailers, growers, and processors who hold transportation licenses. The key change requires all transported marijuana to be in a locked, clearly labeled container marked "Medical Marijuana or Derivative," and explicitly permits transport from licensed retailers to patients. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and does not create new licenses but modifies existing transportation provisions.
