Rep. Danny Williams

Maddy summaryHB 3359 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid program to cover biomarker testing for Medicaid members when supported by medical evidence, such as FDA approvals, clinical guidelines, or CMS coverage policies. It directly affects Medicaid recipients needing these tests, healthcare providers ordering them, and Medicaid contractors managing coverage. Key provisions mandate that contractors cover testing at the same scope as other services, approve/deny prior authorizations within 24-72 hours, and provide clear online processes for coverage exceptions. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, with no changes to existing Medicaid coverage standards beyond this specific requirement.

Maddy summarySB 870, the Accountability, Transparency, and Protection for Exploited Youth Act, requires staff, contractors, and volunteers in Oklahoma juvenile facilities (including state-run, county, and private group homes) to immediately report any suspected sexual misconduct or coercive relationships involving juveniles to both their supervisor and the newly created Independent Oversight Committee (IOC). The bill establishes the IOC to independently investigate such reports, separate from facility internal reviews, and mandates that facilities provide annual staff training on prevention and reporting. Failure to report can result in a felony charge (up to 2 years in prison and $5,000 fine), while negligent facilities or contractors could face civil liability and fines of up to $50,000 per victim. The law also amends confidentiality rules to allow certain authorized disclosures related to these investigations.

Maddy summarySB 870, the Accountability, Transparency, and Protection for Exploited Youth Act, requires staff, volunteers, and contractors in Oklahoma juvenile facilities (state-run, county, or contracted) to immediately report suspected sexual misconduct or exploitation involving juveniles to both their supervisor and a new Independent Oversight Committee (IOC). Failure to report is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The bill establishes the IOC to independently investigate all such reports - separate from facility internal reviews - with subpoena power and authority to collaborate with law enforcement. It also creates civil liability for individuals who fail to report and for the Office of Juvenile Affairs or contracted facilities found negligent in preventing or responding to abuse, with potential fines of up to $50,000 per victim. Additionally, the bill mandates annual staff training on identifying and reporting abuse and requires the IOC to submit annual reports to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 1965 amends Oklahoma's Children's Code by clarifying key definitions relevant to child welfare cases. It specifically defines terms like "abandonment" (including failure to maintain parental contact), "abuse" (explicitly allowing ordinary parental discipline like spanking), and "behavioral health" to guide court and agency decisions. The bill also establishes standards for "age-appropriate" activities and requires the Office of Juvenile Affairs to conduct assessments in certain cases. These changes directly affect courts, child welfare agencies, and parents involved in dependency or termination proceedings under Oklahoma law. The bill became effective May 28, 2025, without the Governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 1965 amends Oklahoma's Children's Code to clarify key definitions and procedures affecting child welfare cases. It defines terms like "abandonment" (including failure to maintain parental contact) and "abuse" (specifying nonaccidental harm, while allowing ordinary discipline like spanking), and requires courts to consider specific circumstances when reviewing petitions to terminate parental rights. The bill also mandates that the Office of Juvenile Affairs conduct assessments following child abuse referrals and establishes procedures for informal adjustments in certain cases. These changes directly impact children in foster care, parents facing termination proceedings, courts, and child welfare agencies across Oklahoma. The law became effective May 28, 2025, after being signed without the Governor's approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1968 authorizes Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board to appoint five alternate members with specific qualifications, including former prosecutors, public defenders, judges, mental health professionals, and corrections officers. The bill requires all board members and alternates to complete annual training on topics like offender rehabilitation and effective intervention methods. It establishes salaries of $85,000 per year for regular members and $42,500 for alternates, with pay tied to meeting attendance requirements. Additionally, the bill prohibits board members from representing inmates in legal matters to prevent conflicts of interest and mandates disclosure of potential conflicts.

Maddy summaryHB 1968 authorizes the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board to appoint five alternate members with specific qualifications (e.g., former prosecutors, public defenders, mental health professionals). It establishes salaries for board members ($85,000 annually), alternates ($42,500 annually), and the chair ($24,800 annually), with requirements for 12 hours of initial training and 6 hours yearly. The bill also mandates annual training on offender rehabilitation and imposes penalties for missing meetings (loss of pay or removal for repeated absences). Additionally, it prohibits board members from representing inmates legally or voting on cases involving prior clients, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 601, the Death Penalty Moratorium Act, immediately halts all executions in Oklahoma by staying all death penalty judgments, vacating current execution dates, and prohibiting courts or the governor from setting new dates. It suspends all death penalty statutes until the bill is repealed, while leaving individual death sentences intact. The bill creates a Death Penalty Reform Task Force (appointed by legislative leaders and the governor) to study implementation of past reforms and report to the legislature by November 2026, with meetings subject to open meeting laws. The moratorium and task force remain in effect until the bill is repealed or the task force concludes its work by November 2029.

Maddy summarySB 187 requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services to provide foster parents and children living in foster homes (excluding the foster child themselves) with access to six hours annually of free counseling from licensed mental health providers. The counseling services, funded by the state, are optional for participants and cannot be used to penalize or discriminate against foster parents who use them. Providers must meet specific qualifications, including training in the Flash Technique, and the department must inform foster parents about these services before a child is placed in their home. The bill aims to support foster home stability by addressing mental health needs for foster families.

Maddy summarySB 455 amends Oklahoma's Children's Code definitions to clarify terms like "abuse" and "age-appropriate." It explicitly states parents may use "ordinary force" (including spanking) for discipline without violating the code, while defining "abuse" to include nonaccidental physical/mental harm, sexual abuse, or exploitation. The bill also updates "age-appropriate" to mean activities suitable for a child's developmental stage, with a specific provision stating this does not allow federal mandates over school curriculum or instructional content. These changes directly affect parents, children, child welfare agencies, and school systems in Oklahoma.