Healthcare (Mental Health)

HB 2248 creates rural mental health pilot programs in Oklahoma designed to redirect individuals with mental health needs away from the criminal justice system and into treatment programs. The bill authorizes the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to develop these programs (subject to funding) and enter contracts to implement them, focusing on rural communities. It requires the Department’s Board to create necessary rules for the programs’ operation and sets an effective date of November 1, 2025. The bill directly affects rural Oklahomans facing mental health challenges who might otherwise interact with law enforcement or courts.

SB 217 establishes a five-year pilot program through Oklahoma's Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET) to certify mental health professionals to assist law enforcement during mental health crises. It requires CLEET to add certified professionals to specific law enforcement agencies based on population size: 15 to two agencies serving over 300,000 people, 6 to two agencies serving 25,000-300,000 people, and 1 to two county sheriff's offices without existing staff. The bill creates a revolving fund in the state treasury to cover certification costs, funded by state appropriations, grants, or donations. The program aims to integrate mental health expertise into crisis responses, with implementation starting November 1, 2025.

SB 812 amends Oklahoma law to create a new exception for law enforcement officers transporting individuals needing mental health assessment. It allows sheriffs and peace officers to arrange on-site assessments via telemedicine (using mobile devices) or mobile crisis teams instead of immediately transporting people to facilities for initial evaluation. The bill clarifies that transport duties are considered fulfilled once officers transfer individuals to facility staff who confirm no immediate safety threat, except for unaccompanied minors under 18. This directly affects law enforcement agencies, mental health facilities, and individuals requiring emergency mental health services.