Sen. Dusty Deevers

Maddy summarySB 943, the Oklahoma Medical Freedom Act, protects Oklahomans' right to refuse medical treatments, vaccines, or procedures without discrimination in employment, public accommodations, or legal rights. It prohibits healthcare licensing boards from disciplining professionals who voice concerns about mandates, advocate for patient autonomy, or report unethical practices. The bill creates a legal cause of action for healthcare workers facing retaliation, allowing them to seek injunctive relief, damages, and expedited court review. It directly affects Oklahoma residents exercising medical choices and healthcare professionals speaking out against coercive policies.

Maddy summarySB 635, the Firearm Preservation Act, requires Oklahoma law enforcement agencies to auction seized firearms (e.g., from court orders, forfeitures, or estates) instead of destroying them. It mandates auctions be open only to buyers passing state and federal background checks, with proceeds funding agency operations. The bill protects agencies from liability if auctioned firearms are later used in crimes and requires detailed recordkeeping for five years. It directly affects law enforcement agencies handling seized firearms and eligible buyers.

Maddy summarySB 154 requires Oklahoma courts to prioritize ordering restitution payments to crime victims when sentencing defendants convicted of crimes (excluding death penalty cases). The bill amends sentencing guidelines to explicitly state that courts "shall prioritize an order for payments of restitution to the victim to the extent feasible" before considering other sentencing options like community service or fines. It directly affects courts, victims seeking compensation, and defendants required to pay restitution. The key change is a procedural shift in sentencing priorities, ensuring restitution is addressed early in the process without altering existing restitution rates or amounts.

Maddy summaryHB 1473, the "Health Care Sharing Ministry Tax Parity Act," allows Oklahoma residents who are active members of qualifying health care sharing ministries (HCSMs) to deduct their membership contributions from their state income taxes starting in 2026. It treats these deductions similarly to health insurance premiums, applying to self-employed individuals, employer contributions (as nontaxable benefits), and individuals covering themselves or dependents. To claim the deduction, members must provide documentation of contributions and membership, and false claims could result in $500 penalties per offense and three years of ineligibility. Funds received from HCSMs for medical expenses will not be considered taxable income under Oklahoma law.

Maddy summarySB 732 updates Oklahoma's law on where firearms may not be carried, primarily affecting individuals carrying concealed or unconcealed weapons in specific public and private locations. It prohibits carrying firearms in government buildings, courthouses, schools (except parking areas and under school policies), sports venues during events, and gambling facilities - unless permitted by the property owner or event holder. Key changes include allowing concealed carry in school parking lots (with firearms locked in vehicles when unattended), enabling private schools to adopt policies permitting weapon carry with liability protection, and permitting concealed carry (but not open carry) in municipal zoos or parks owned by public trusts or nonprofits. The bill clarifies existing restrictions and adds specific exceptions for certain properties while maintaining $250 misdemeanor fines for violations.

Maddy summarySB 156 modifies Oklahoma's false reporting laws to adjust penalties based on the severity of the crime falsely reported. It classifies making a false report about a misdemeanor as a misdemeanor (penalties up to 90 days in jail or $500 fine), while falsely reporting a felony becomes a felony with penalties matching the actual crime. Additionally, falsely reporting a missing child to trigger an AMBER alert is now a felony punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who make false reports to law enforcement, increasing consequences for serious false claims. It takes effect on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 188, the "Defend the Guard Act," sets strict conditions for deploying Oklahoma National Guard members into active duty combat. It prohibits sending the Guard into active combat unless the U.S. Congress has formally declared war or specifically authorized such deployment under Article I, Section 8, Clause 15 of the Constitution (for executing federal law, repelling invasion, or suppressing insurrection). The bill directly affects Oklahoma National Guard members and their deployment decisions, requiring congressional action before combat deployment. It explicitly allows the Governor to still deploy Guard members under Title 32 for domestic missions like civil support within the U.S. or its territories. The act takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySJR 8 is a proposed constitutional amendment for Oklahoma that would add a new right to the state constitution. It states: "The right of a citizen of Oklahoma to cultivate food and to purchase food from the source of his or her choice shall not be infringed." If approved by voters, this amendment would protect Oklahomans' ability to grow their own food and choose where to buy it, preventing government interference. As a constitutional amendment, it requires voter approval via ballot measure and does not create immediate new laws or regulations.

Maddy summarySB 1017 allows Oklahoma's Medicaid program to cover educationally necessary school-based services for students with disabilities, directly affecting K-12 public schools and Medicaid-eligible students. The bill defines "educationally necessary" services (like classroom support) separately from medically necessary ones (e.g., physical therapy), requiring these services to be attached to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) rather than included in the IEP itself. It prohibits the Oklahoma Health Care Authority from expanding this definition or covering non-educational health services like eye exams or flu shots. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to students under 21 receiving a free and appropriate public education.

Maddy summarySB 192 changes how Oklahoma school districts calculate state funding by requiring the use of average daily enrollment from the first nine weeks of each school year, instead of previous methods that allowed districts to use higher enrollment averages. This directly affects all public school districts in Oklahoma, as their state aid payments will now be based on this earlier enrollment data. The bill also establishes transitional grants to help districts adjust to the new funding formula, with specific criteria tied to available funding. These changes aim to standardize funding calculations while updating related statutory references and reporting requirements.