Healthcare

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 806: Nutrition services; creating the Food is Medicine Act; creating certain incentive for Medicaid contracted entities; providing for certain expansion of nutrition services. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 806, the Food is Medicine Act, requires Medicaid contractors to expand nutrition services for enrollees, particularly those with diet-related health conditions like diabetes. It creates financial incentives for healthcare providers to offer medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling as part of Medicaid coverage. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries and their healthcare providers by integrating food-based health interventions into standard care. The law took immediate effect after Governor approval on May 8, 2025, without a waiting period.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid contractors to expand nutrition services for diet-related conditions with financial incentives, integrating food-based health interventions into coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2817: Health care; creating the Oklahoma Rebate Pass-Through and Pharmacy Benefits Manager Meaningful Transparency Act of 2025; definitions; requirements; effective date.

HB 2817 requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and health insurers in Oklahoma to reduce enrollees' out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs by at least 85% of all rebates they receive from drug manufacturers. This means patients pay less at the pharmacy counter based on a price adjusted for these rebates, rather than the full drug cost. PBMs and insurers face fines of $100-$10,000 per violation for noncompliance, though they may pass through more than the 85% requirement. The bill also protects specific rebate details as trade secrets, prohibiting public disclosure of manufacturer- or product-level rebate amounts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires PBMs/insurers to pass 85% of drug rebates to enrollees, directly lowering patient out-of-pocket costs and improving prescription affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 320: Medical marijuana purchases; limiting amounts of certain purchases. Effective date.

SB 320 limits medical marijuana purchases to 2.5 ounces (70.9 grams) per week for Oklahoma patients with valid licenses. It creates the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to manage licensing, establishing standard 2-year licenses ($100 fee), short-term 60-day licenses for temporary doctor recommendations, and 30-day temporary licenses for out-of-state patients ($100 fee). The bill affects licensed medical marijuana patients and caregivers by defining legal possession limits (e.g., 3 ounces on person, 6 mature plants) and requiring state residency verification. Key provisions include mandatory online license applications, privacy protections for patient records, and caregiver licensing for homebound patients.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareLimits medical marijuana purchase amounts (2.5 oz/week), restricting patient access to a healthcare treatment option.95% confidence

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 7, 2025

HB 1601: Schools; creating the Advancing Rights for Caregiving, Health, and Extended Recovery (Maternity Leave Protection for Teachers) Act; effective date.

HB 1601, the "ARCHER Act," extends maternity leave protections for eligible public school teachers in Oklahoma. It amends existing sick leave rules (70 O.S. § 6-104.8) to require school districts to provide extended leave for teachers who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past year, specifically covering pregnancy-related needs beyond standard sick leave. The bill creates a dedicated exception to current sick leave policies, ensuring teachers can take leave for maternity without losing pay, aligning with federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) standards. This directly affects full-time classroom teachers in public school districts who meet the employment threshold. The law became effective after Governor approval on May 6, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends maternity leave for public school teachers, protecting employment during pregnancy-related needs and strengthening educator welfare within K-12 education policy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates extended leave for pregnancy-related health needs, protecting teachers' access to healthcare during maternity without penalty, aligning with patient rights protection.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends maternity leave protections for teachers, creating dedicated leave beyond standard sick leave for pregnancy needs, strengthening employment standards and workers' rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Paid Leave

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1676: Officers; Kay Floyd SANE Act; District Attorneys Council; Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Statewide Coordinator; salary; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates SANE coordinator role to improve sexual assault response systems, fund training, and manage victim forensic services within criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates SANE Coordinator role to develop healthcare-focused sexual assault response programs, fund forensic exams, and recruit medical professionals, directly advancing healthcare services for victims.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 144: Department of Corrections; creating the Reentry and Housing Pilot Program and Revolving Fund. Effective date.

SB 144 creates a five-year pilot program for Oklahoma's Department of Corrections to help formerly incarcerated people find stable housing and access reentry services. It requires the DOC to develop affordable housing in rural and urban areas, identify high-risk inmates for homelessness, and modify existing programs to provide parenting, job skills, and substance abuse treatment support. The program will be funded through a new revolving fund in the state treasury, using state appropriations, grants, and donations, with up to 5% of funds allowed for administrative costs. The DOC must contract an independent evaluator to assess the program's effectiveness in reducing recidivism and submit annual reports to lawmakers. This bill directly affects inmates released from Oklahoma prisons who face housing instability upon release.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new revolving fund in state treasury using state appropriations to fund DOC reentry housing program, advancing public service funding through budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 144 creates a reentry program with housing, job skills, and treatment to reduce recidivism, directly advancing criminal justice reform through funding and service expansion.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill includes substance abuse treatment support as part of reentry services, aligning with healthcare access indicators for mental health/substance abuse care.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates affordable housing program for formerly incarcerated individuals via new revolving fund, directly advancing housing access for vulnerable population.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Substance Abuse Affordable Housing Homelessness

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2026

SB 206: Emergency medical services; declaring emergency medical services to be essential services for certain purpose. Emergency.

SB 206 amends Oklahoma law to classify emergency medical services (EMS) provided by public entities - such as municipal, county, or district ambulance services - as "essential services" **solely for eligibility for federal funding**. This change directly affects public EMS providers seeking federal grants, ensuring they meet the federal definition of "essential services" under current funding criteria. The bill does not alter EMS operations or create new requirements but adjusts the legal classification to align with federal funding rules. It was introduced as an emergency measure to take immediate effect upon approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClassifies public EMS as essential for federal funding eligibility, enabling access to healthcare program resources without operational changes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Tags Emergency Management Public Safety

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 1173: Psychology; definitions; prescriptions; criteria; certification; licensed psychologists; immunity; prescription certificate; rules; effective date.

HB 1173 allows licensed psychologists in Oklahoma to prescribe medication for mental health conditions under two certification pathways. Psychologists seeking a "conditional" certificate must complete advanced training (including 450+ hours of coursework and supervised practice) and work under a supervising physician. Those qualifying for a full "prescription certificate" meet additional requirements, including 400+ hours treating 100+ patients, enabling independent prescribing without physician supervision. The bill directly affects psychologists seeking prescribing authority, setting specific educational and clinical standards for both certification levels, effective November 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables psychologists to prescribe mental health medications under certification, expanding patient access to mental health treatment options without physician oversight for qualified practitioners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1915: Artificial intelligence; AI devices in health care; qualified end-user; deployer; quality assurance program; State Department of Health; effective date.

HB 1915 establishes rules for using artificial intelligence (AI) in Oklahoma healthcare. It requires hospitals and healthcare facilities (deployers) to ensure AI devices used for diagnosis or treatment are only operated by licensed physicians (qualified end-users) who review all AI outputs for accuracy. Deployers must create quality assurance programs, document all AI use - including overrides of AI recommendations - and maintain an AI governance group with physician input. The law mandates compliance with federal FDA guidelines, tracks performance through national registries when possible, and authorizes the State Department of Health to enforce penalties for violations, effective November 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates physician oversight of AI outputs, quality assurance programs, and documentation to ensure patient safety in AI healthcare applications, strengthening clinical safeguards.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates physician oversight, quality programs, and documentation for AI in healthcare to ensure safety and accuracy, aligning with regulating tech for consumer protection.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 225: Public health; establishing the Oklahoma Rare Disease Advisory Council. Effective date.

SB 225 establishes the Oklahoma Rare Disease Advisory Council within the State Department of Health to address the needs of Oklahomans with rare diseases. The council directly affects rare disease patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and related organizations by providing guidance on policy, care access, and emergency planning. Key provisions include holding public hearings, developing recommendations for healthcare coverage and diagnostics, creating emergency care protocols, and requiring annual reports to the legislature. Membership includes 13+ diverse stakeholders like patients, physicians, insurers, biopharma representatives, and researchers, appointed by the Governor and Council chair. The council must submit annual reports detailing its work and policy recommendations to the Governor and legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates council to develop healthcare coverage, diagnostics, and emergency protocols for rare disease patients, directly improving access and policy guidance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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