Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate Jun 1, 2026

SB 423: Medical records; access; eliminating certain health care provider duties; authorizing certain fees. Effective date.

SB 423 updates Oklahoma's medical records access law by establishing standardized fees for patients and their representatives to obtain copies of medical records. Patients pay $0.50 per page for standard records, $15 for printed x-rays, and $20 for x-rays on CD/DVD, with providers prohibited from charging for searching or preparing records for the patient. The bill excludes psychological, psychiatric, mental health, and substance abuse records from these provisions, requiring separate access under different legal processes. It also sets higher fees for third parties (e.g., $20 base fee plus per-page charges for attorneys), while maintaining existing rules for disability-related requests.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStandardizes affordable medical record access fees, prohibits search fees, and maintains protections for mental health records - directly improving patient access to healthcare information.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 606: Office of public defender; increasing certain population requirements. Effective date.

SB 606 raises Oklahoma's population threshold for counties required to establish a public defender office from 300,000 to 400,000 residents, affecting only large counties (over 400,000) under the latest federal census. It updates statutes to require public defenders in these counties to provide training on mental health and substance abuse treatment, and clarifies conflict resolution for appeals between county public defenders and the state Indigent Defense System. The bill also specifies that public defenders are deemed state employees under tort law. It takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRaises population threshold for public defender offices, reducing mandatory coverage in smaller counties and potentially limiting defendant access to counsel.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health training for public defenders, supporting mental health service integration in legal representation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 2, 2025

SB 547: Health care; minor self-consent to health services; granting certain protections to parent or legal guardian related to medical records. Effective date.

SB 547 allows minors to consent to certain health services (like reproductive care, mental health, or substance abuse treatment) without parental permission. It requires healthcare providers to follow new rules for these services and ensures parents or legal guardians can access their minor child’s medical records for those specific services if they choose. The bill directly affects minors seeking confidential care, parents seeking record access, and healthcare providers who must update their consent and record-keeping practices. It creates a clear framework for minor self-consent while preserving parental rights regarding related medical records.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables minors to consent to confidential reproductive, mental health, and substance abuse care without parental permission, expanding access to critical services and protecting patient rights per bill's core provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 1142: Department of Human Services; making an appropriation; stating purpose. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1142 allocates $100,000 from unallocated state funds to Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funding is intended to support the department's existing duties, including providing mental health and substance abuse services to Oklahomans. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval, bypassing standard legislative timelines. This is a procedural funding measure, not a policy change, and remains pending before the Appropriations Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100k from unallocated funds to mental health services, directly funding an essential public program through budget appropriation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $100k to mental health department for services, directly funding mental health care as per bill summary and indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1011: School employees; Education Employee Assistant Program; Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; effective date; emergency.

HB 1011 creates a voluntary Education Employee Assistance Program within Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to help school employees manage personal issues like mental health challenges, substance abuse, or financial difficulties that affect job performance. The program provides assessment, referral, and counseling services to employees and their families, with all participation records kept confidential and separate from regular personnel files. School districts may maintain their own employee assistance programs as long as they follow the same confidentiality rules and record-keeping standards established by the Department. Participation or nonparticipation does not impact an employee's discipline or employment status.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates voluntary program providing mental health, substance abuse, and financial support to school employees, directly supporting educators and improving well-being for better job performance.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a mental health assistance program providing counseling and referrals for school employees, directly advancing mental health services within healthcare.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates voluntary confidential counseling services for school employees to address mental health/substance abuse issues affecting job performance, expanding worker benefits and supporting workplace well-being.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 811: Criminal procedure; requiring implementation of certain competency restoration pilot program. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 811 requires Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to implement a community-based competency restoration pilot program for defendants found incompetent to stand trial but capable of regaining competence with treatment. The bill directly affects individuals in the criminal justice system who are deemed incompetent due to mental health needs but not intellectually disabled or dangerous. Key provisions mandate the department to provide treatment in community settings (instead of solely in forensic facilities), make regular court reports on defendants' progress, and establish clear pathways for resuming trials or transitioning to civil commitment if competence isn't restored. The pilot program specifically aligns with a court-ordered consent decree from the Briggs v. Friesen case. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates community-based competency restoration for mentally ill defendants, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration in criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates community-based mental health treatment for criminal defendants, advancing mental health services within the justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

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signed · Oklahoma · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1484: Schools; creating Rain's Law; requiring certain instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness; effective date; emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates fentanyl education in health curriculum for grades 6-12, enhancing student health education programs per bill requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school-based public health education on fentanyl abuse and suicide prevention, directly advancing public health programs under healthcare topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Substance Abuse

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

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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vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 574: Attorney General; broadening approved purposes for opioid grant awards; authorizing certain use of funds by the Attorney General. Effective date.

SB 574 expands the types of opioid-related projects eligible for state grant funding by allowing the Attorney General to allocate funds toward new prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives. It directly affects state agencies and community organizations receiving opioid grants by broadening allowable uses beyond current restrictions. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to use grant funds for specific, previously ineligible activities, such as community-based support programs. This policy change modifies how opioid grant funds are distributed without altering the grant application process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands opioid grant funding for prevention/treatment programs, directly supporting criminal justice reform goals by addressing root causes of crime and reducing recidivism.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands opioid grant funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery services, directly increasing healthcare access and public health funding for substance use disorders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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