SJR 38 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund to divest 5% of its assets annually (by November 1) and deposit the proceeds into the Health Care Enhancement Fund. This affects the trust fund, which manages Oklahoma's tobacco settlement funds, and directs the Legislature to appropriate these funds for health-related purposes like medical care and prevention programs. The amendment does not change existing trust fund investments but mandates a fixed annual transfer to support health initiatives at the Legislature's discretion.
SB 1447 prohibits the Oklahoma Employees Insurance Plan from awarding contracts to pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) that have settled lawsuits, been fined, or faced judgments exceeding $4 million in the past five years. The bill requires that state contract evaluations must favor PBMs headquartered in Oklahoma for at least one year and disfavor PBMs with corporate ties to health insurers, retail pharmacies, specialty pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, or drug manufacturers. Contracted PBMs must also certify compliance with Oklahoma’s health information laws and maintain SOC 2 Type 2 security certification. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
This bill prohibits the land application, sale, or distribution of biosolids (wastewater treatment byproducts) containing perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on agricultural land in Oklahoma. It specifically bans materials like sewage sludge, compost made with sludge, or fertilizers derived from sludge, with limited exemptions for food-processing byproducts (e.g., spent grain from brewing) and animal manure. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and Agriculture must enforce the ban, develop PFAS remediation plans for affected farmers, and submit reports by February 2027 detailing implementation and costs. The law targets PFAS contamination risks in soil and crops while allowing alternative agricultural materials to be used.
SB 1644 would require Oklahoma's health department to add alpha-gal syndrome (AGS) to the official list of reportable diseases, meaning doctors, nurses, and clinical laboratories must report diagnosed cases to the state health department. AGS is a condition causing allergic reactions to red meat and other animal products, which currently lacks formal tracking in Oklahoma. The bill updates existing health reporting laws to include AGS and makes the language gender-neutral. It would take effect on November 1, 2026.
SB 1485 requires Oklahoma medical examiners to conduct specific investigations within 48 hours for unexplained infant or child deaths (including SIDS, SUID, and SDY) and sudden cardiac deaths in young people (SADS). The bill mandates autopsies, toxicology tests, medical record reviews (including immunization data from the past 90 days), and interviews with caregivers. Medical examiners must document findings, report cases to the CDC’s national SUID/SDY registry, and submit reports to the State Department of Health and Child Death Review Board. This applies directly to medical examiners, health departments, and families of affected infants, children, and young people.
SB 1663 requires all health insurance plans in Oklahoma to cover specific cooling systems (like scalp or hand cooling devices) used during chemotherapy to prevent side effects such as hair loss or nerve issues. This directly affects chemotherapy patients who use these devices and insurers who must provide coverage without applying annual deductibles, co-pays, or coinsurance. The bill also ensures this coverage isn’t subject to standard plan limits and includes limited exceptions for health savings accounts related to preventive care. It aims to reduce out-of-pocket costs for a specific, medically necessary treatment. The bill is designated as an emergency, meaning it takes effect immediately upon approval.
HB 4294 requires health insurers in Oklahoma to provide equal coverage for epilepsy as for other conditions, prohibiting termination or non-renewal of policies solely due to an epilepsy diagnosis. It mandates coverage for seizure prevention devices, surgeries, or medical procedures prescribed by an epilepsy specialist when medically necessary to reduce SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy) risk. The law applies to all individual and group health insurance plans covering medical/surgical benefits and takes effect November 1, 2026. This directly affects epilepsy patients and insurers offering such coverage in Oklahoma.
SB 2023 requires out-of-state pharmacies that ship drugs into Oklahoma to obtain a license from the Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy and comply with Oklahoma's pharmacy laws, including storage and staffing rules. It mandates initial and annual on-site inspections by Oklahoma inspectors (not out-of-state agencies), with pharmacies covering inspection costs. Violations - like failing to follow storage guidelines or pharmacy ratios - can result in fines up to $50,000 per violation or permanent license revocation if not corrected within 90 days. The bill directly affects pharmacies operating across state lines, ensuring they meet Oklahoma's safety and quality standards for drug distribution.
HB 3265 amends Oklahoma's police pension law to clarify disability benefit eligibility for law enforcement officers. It specifically expands the definition of "mental health specialist" to include licensed psychologists for disability certification (Section G). The bill establishes a clear benefit scale based on disability percentage (e.g., 50-74% impairment equals 75% of accrued retirement benefit) and presumes line-of-duty disability for officers exposed to hazardous substances like chemicals or blood-borne pathogens, unless proven otherwise (Section I). These changes directly affect Oklahoma police officers seeking disability benefits through the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System.
HB 3368 requires health insurance plans covering prescription drugs to allow pharmacies (including those providing compound drugs) to bid for pharmacy service contracts at least every three years. It applies specifically to plans not already using an open pharmacy network, meaning insurers must periodically seek bids from pharmacies rather than maintaining fixed contracts. The bill does not affect plans that already operate open networks, and it takes effect on November 1, 2026. This changes how insurers select pharmacy partners for covered drug services.
