Healthcare

signed · Oklahoma · House May 8, 2025

HB 2295: Hospital license; prohibiting transfer of hospital licenses from one address to another; administrative requirements; mediation; effective date.

HB 2295 prohibits public trust hospitals in Oklahoma communities with fewer than 30,000 residents (per federal census) from transferring their licenses to locations more than 15 miles away. If a hospital plans to close, the bill mandates a mediation process: the hospital and municipality each appoint a mediator, who then select a third mediator to set a sale price for the facility if agreement isn’t reached. Hospital trustees must complete an approved education program within 90 days of appointment and certify they have no financial ties to potential buyers. The bill also requires CMS provider numbers to revert to the hospital immediately upon termination of third-party leases. It takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents hospital relocations from small communities, maintaining healthcare access in rural areas with <30k residents and requiring mediation for closures to preserve service availability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 8, 2026

SB 1379: Attorney General; establishing certain pilot program; stating eligibility requirements; Victims of Human Trafficking and Prevention Revolving Fund. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1379 establishes a two-year pilot program through Oklahoma's Attorney General's Office to provide grants to private nonprofit organizations supporting victims of sexual and labor trafficking. The program funds specific services like emergency shelter, mental health counseling, legal assistance, job training, and medical care - directly benefiting trafficking victims through partner organizations. Eligible organizations must demonstrate experience serving trafficking victims, maintain confidentiality, and use grants primarily for direct services (not exceeding 15% for administrative costs). Recipients must submit quarterly reports on services provided and outcomes, with the Attorney General compiling annual program evaluations for state leaders. The bill expands allowable uses of the Victims of Human Trafficking Fund to support this initiative.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes specific appropriation for trafficking victim services, directly funding public safety programs through state budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds victim services for trafficking survivors, aligning with criminal justice reform by supporting victims and enhancing victim protection within the justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds medical care and mental health counseling for trafficking victims via grants to nonprofits, directly supporting healthcare services as specified in bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides job training services for labor trafficking victims, directly supporting employment opportunities and workforce reintegration as part of victim assistance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Mental Health Workforce Development

signed · Oklahoma · House May 13, 2025

HB 1566: Mental health; Neil's Law; Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act; purpose; intent; terms; civil actions; venue; relief; claim; records; vulnerable adult; effective date.

HB 1566, known as "Neil's Law," establishes the Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act (OEAA) to protect vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. The law defines vulnerable adults as individuals 18+ who cannot manage their financial or health needs due to mental illness, disability, or other impairments, and creates a civil right for them (or their legal representatives) to sue abusers or exploiters. Key provisions include clear definitions of abuse, exploitation, and neglect; court requirements to encourage vulnerable adults' participation in decisions; and ensuring legal claims survive the vulnerable adult's death. The law does not replace mandatory reporting obligations to Adult Protective Services for suspected abuse.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill defines vulnerable adults with mental illness as unable to manage health needs, creating civil rights to sue abusers, protecting access to healthcare management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

signed · Oklahoma · House May 27, 2025

HB 1810: Medicaid; modifying, adding, and removing certain prior authorization requirements for contracted entities; effective date; emergency.

HB 1810 modifies Oklahoma's Medicaid prior authorization rules for healthcare providers and facilities serving Medicaid beneficiaries. It streamlines approval processes for emergency services, clarifies requirements for "adverse determinations" (denied care), and defines key terms like "essential community provider" to ensure consistent application. The bill affects contracted entities (including hospitals, clinics, and dental providers) by requiring faster reviews for urgent care and updating how they handle denied claims. It became law on May 25, 2025, without the governor's signature, and directly impacts how Medicaid providers obtain approval for covered services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines Medicaid prior authorizations for emergencies and clarifies denied care processes, improving patient access to urgent services per bill summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

signed · Oklahoma · House May 15, 2025

HB 1516: Insurance; minors; contract for insurance; parental or guardian consent; effective date.

HB 1516 allows minors aged 15-16 to contract for life, accident, or health insurance with parental or guardian consent, and minors aged 16+ to contract for other types of insurance with consent. It specifies that these minors are legally bound by their insurance contracts (including settlements) but cannot be held responsible for unpaid premiums on unperformed agreements. The law, effective November 1, 2025, amends Oklahoma's insurance code to clarify minor contracting rights and responsibilities. This directly affects minors seeking insurance coverage and their parents/guardians who must provide written consent.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables minors (15-16) to obtain health insurance with consent, facilitating access to coverage under clarified contracting rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 6, 2026

SB 1255: Pardons and paroles; requiring medical director of the Department of Corrections to make certain request. Effective date.

SB 1255 requires Oklahoma's Department of Corrections medical director to certify qualifying medical conditions and request the Pardon and Parole Board to place eligible inmates on a special docket for compassionate parole consideration. It directly affects inmates with specific terminal or debilitating conditions like dementia, cancer, HIV/AIDS, or conditions causing near-death (six-month life expectancy), or those unable to perform basic self-care. The bill bypasses the standard two-step parole hearing process for these inmates and mandates that at least three Board members must concur to consider medical parole. The Board must document concurrence in meeting minutes, and parolees may face revocation if their medical condition poses public safety risks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables compassionate parole for terminally ill/incapacitated inmates, reducing unnecessary incarceration and promoting humane treatment per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires medical certification for compassionate parole, improving access to healthcare outside prison for terminally ill inmates with qualifying conditions.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

passed both · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 1369: 988 Mental Health Lifeline; defining terms; suicide prevention and crisis service activities; standards; rules; creating the 988 Lifeline Revolving Fund; declaring funds appropriated. Effective date.

SB 1369 allocates $5.7 million from Oklahoma's general state funds to sustain and expand the state's 9-8-8 suicide and crisis hotline operations for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This funding directly supports Oklahomans in mental health crises by ensuring access to the 9-8-8 hotline service. The bill provides specific funding to maintain current operations while increasing capacity for crisis response. It becomes effective July 1, 2026, and declares an emergency due to the urgent need for mental health support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5.7M from state funds for mental health crisis hotline, directly funding essential public service under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $5.7M to sustain and expand 9-8-8 mental health crisis hotline, directly supporting mental health services access and crisis response capacity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 2801: Antipsychotic drugs; vendor drug program; Oklahoma Health Care Authority; prior authorized; disorders; prior authorization; effective date.

This bill requires Oklahoma's Medicaid program to approve prior authorization for atypical antipsychotic drugs not on the preferred drug list when treating mood disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or related conditions. It mandates approval if a patient has failed a trial of a preferred drug in the past year or is stable on a non-preferred medication. The policy ensures these drugs are covered at parity with other branded medications in the same class, without additional restrictions beyond standard Medicaid criteria.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid coverage for non-preferred antipsychotics in mental health treatment, improving patient access and ensuring parity without additional restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1368: Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; making an appropriation; stating purpose. Emergency.

SB 1368 appropriates $70.5 million from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for the 2025 fiscal year. It allocates $20 million to cover remaining Medicaid (Title XIX) costs, $18.5 million to fund provider payments through an Enhanced Tier Payment System, and $32 million to renew contracts with existing service providers. These funds are designated to supplement, not replace, current resources and programs. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation of these funding measures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $70.5M from General Revenue to fund mental health services, supplementing existing programs - directly advancing state budget allocation for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $70.5M for mental health/substance abuse services including Medicaid coverage and provider payments, directly funding critical healthcare programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 205: Medical marijuana licenses; establishing certain license criteria; establishing certain purpose; establishing certain fees. Effective date.

SB 205 creates a new research license for collecting patient-reported outcomes related to medical marijuana use in Oklahoma. It authorizes research institutions, healthcare organizations, licensed cannabis businesses, and private research companies to conduct studies on medical marijuana's impact on health conditions. Licensees must pay a $500 nonrefundable fee, and the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority will establish rules for application, compliance, and reporting. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates research license for medical marijuana health impact studies, advancing evidence-based healthcare policy through authorized research by healthcare institutions.95% confidence

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