Rep. Ajay Pittman

Maddy summaryHB 2925 requires all Oklahoma state, county, and local law enforcement agencies to adopt written policies governing high-speed vehicle pursuits. The bill mandates specific safety measures, including banning high-speed chases in crowded areas, prohibiting shooting at moving vehicles, requiring supervisor approval before initiating a pursuit, and prioritizing alternatives like drones or GPS trackers. It restricts pursuits to cases involving serious violent crimes (such as murder, assault, or kidnapping) where there is a reasonable certainty that apprehension will prevent immediate harm, and explicitly prohibits pursuits for misdemeanors unless no public safety risk exists. The law becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2916 establishes the "Handle With Care Oklahoma" (HWC) program to help schools support students exposed to traumatic events. It requires law enforcement to notify schools via a state-run hotline/email (by November 2027) when a student experiences events like domestic violence, family deaths, or neighborhood violence - providing only basic student information (name, school, age) without event details unless safety is at risk. Local school districts must form multi-disciplinary teams (including school staff, mental health professionals, and law enforcement) to provide trauma-sensitive support within 24 hours of notification. The Oklahoma State Department of Education will develop training and model protocols for schools and first responders to implement the program.

Maddy summaryHB 2924 changes how Oklahoma peace officers handle emergency protective orders for victims of domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or related crimes. It requires officers to immediately notify a judge when a victim requests an emergency order, make "every attempt" to serve the order on the alleged abuser, and complete a return of service when filing the petition with the court. If service isn't possible, officers must file the petition the next business day, with the court clerk prioritizing sheriff’s office service. The bill directly affects victims and their immediate families (including first-degree murder victims' families) by streamlining the emergency order process when courts are closed. It specifies that officers must provide victims with a copy of the approved order and a written statement confirming the judge’s approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2928 expands Oklahoma's Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship program to include students with at least one incarcerated parent, in addition to students with disabilities who have an IEP or ISP. The bill amends eligibility requirements to allow parents or guardians of qualifying students to request scholarships for private school enrollment, provided the student was enrolled in a public school the prior year (with specific exemptions noted). Scholarships cover private school costs but require parental notification to the State Department of Education by December 1 for current-year funding, with continuity until graduation, age 22, or return to public school. The policy change directly affects families seeking private school options for students with disabilities or those with incarcerated parents, without altering existing IEP/ISP requirements for disability-related eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 2926 modifies Oklahoma's funeral vendor payment rules in the Administrative Code. It directly affects active funeral establishments and their vendors by changing how penalties for late payments are applied. Key provisions require penalties to be imposed only after a court judgment (not automatically), apply solely to the funeral establishment (not individual directors), mandate compliance with federal bankruptcy laws, and require proper consumer fund receipts for advance cash payments. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2918 creates the "Expanding Access to Local Foods Program" to purchase locally grown fruits and vegetables at market value from small and underserved Oklahoma producers. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry will administer the program, donating these foods free of charge to nonprofits that distribute food within the state to improve food security. A new revolving fund, financed by state appropriations, federal grants, private contributions, and interest, will support the program's operations. The bill takes effect on November 1, 2025, and aims to strengthen local food supply chains while creating economic opportunities for small producers.

Maddy summaryHB 2927 modifies Oklahoma's child care licensing requirements for directors and facility space. It allows directors to qualify with a bachelor's degree *or* 4 years of full-time child care experience (instead of requiring specific education), and adds a one-year probationary period for staff replacing master teachers. The bill also sets new space standards: pre-2016 facilities must provide 35 sq. ft. per infant in infant-only rooms, while newer facilities must provide 40 sq. ft. per infant. These changes directly affect licensed child care centers operating in Oklahoma, particularly those hiring directors or expanding facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 1653 creates the "Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2025" as a named reference for future regulations, with an effective date of November 1, 2025. This is a procedural bill that does not alter existing alcohol laws or create new regulations; it simply establishes the act's name and implementation date. The bill is not codified in Oklahoma Statutes and serves as a reference point for future legislative actions related to alcoholic beverages. It directly affects how future alcohol-related legislation will be formally cited but does not change current policy.

Maddy summaryHB 2923 creates the Oklahoma Prisoner Reentry Pilot Program to help inmates transition from prison to community life. It directly affects incarcerated individuals with a medium or high risk of felony arrest who are released on parole, focusing on their specific needs through case management. Key provisions include connecting participants to housing, job training, healthcare, substance abuse treatment, identification services, and other support systems via individualized reentry plans. The program, starting in a county with over 500,000 residents, requires the Department of Corrections to use public-private partnerships and federal grants for funding, and to annually report on its effectiveness in reducing recidivism.

Maddy summaryHB 2921 establishes licensing requirements for dental therapists in Oklahoma, defining their scope of practice and supervision standards. It requires applicants to complete accredited education programs, pass national and clinical exams, and maintain current CPR certification. The bill mandates 12 annual continuing education hours (including infection control training) for license renewal and creates specific pathways for graduates of non-accredited programs. This directly affects dental therapists seeking licensure, dental practices employing them, and patients - particularly uninsured individuals defined as having income ≤200% of federal poverty guidelines.