Sen. Christi Gillespie

Maddy summaryHB 1076, the "Food Truck Freedom Act," streamlines operations for mobile food vendors (food trucks) in Oklahoma. It requires local authorities to recognize valid state licenses within five business days and prohibits them from imposing conflicting rules - such as extra permits, GPS tracking, fingerprinting, or limiting vendor numbers. Vendors may operate on private property with owner permission (including residential zones under specific conditions), in locations approved by local authorities, and must follow cleanliness rules like waste disposal and license display. The bill, signed into law on May 5, 2025, also limits health inspections to twice yearly (unless violations exist) and bans local fees for inspections.

Maddy summaryHB 1076, the "Food Truck Freedom Act," authorizes mobile food vendors with a state food establishment license to operate across Oklahoma while limiting local government restrictions. It requires local authorities to recognize valid state licenses within five business days and prohibits them from imposing conflicting rules (like extra permits, GPS tracking, or distance limits from other businesses). Vendors may operate on private property in permitted zoning districts with owner permission or at residential gatherings (max 12 days/year), but must maintain waste disposal, display licenses, and notify health authorities 10 days before temporary events. The bill also clarifies that state health rules cannot mandate unnecessary requirements like handwashing sinks for prepackaged food vendors.

Maddy summaryHB 2895 modifies Oklahoma's child care licensing rules to improve staffing and facility standards. It requires directors of child care centers to have at least a bachelor's degree (with continuing education still needed), creates a one-year probationary period for new master teachers (extendable by one year), and mandates directors appoint a probationary master teacher within 60 days. The bill also updates space requirements: pre-November 2016 facilities must provide 35 sq ft per infant, while new/expanded facilities must provide 40 sq ft per infant. Additionally, after-school children are excluded from license capacity calculations when determining required master teacher staffing. The changes take effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2895 amends the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act, impacting child care centers, their directors, and master teachers. The bill clarifies that a bachelor's or postgraduate degree meets educational requirements for a director and allows a one-year probationary period for new master teachers to fulfill qualifications. Directors are granted 60 days to appoint a probationary master teacher. It also specifies square footage requirements for infants in child care rooms, differentiating between facilities opened before and after November 1, 2016. Finally, after-school care children will not be counted when determining the number of required master teachers based on license capacity.

Maddy summarySB 628 modifies Oklahoma's laws on firearm carry by creating new exceptions to prohibited locations. It allows concealed carry on municipal parking areas, school parking lots (with firearms stored locked in vehicles), and certain parks or recreational areas. The bill also permits private schools to adopt policies allowing weapon carry by licensed individuals and lets school districts authorize designated staff (with security licenses) to carry handguns on school property. Additionally, it defines "minimum-security" for event properties requiring specific fencing, staffing, and metal detectors to allow concealed carry. The law maintains prohibitions in courthouses, prisons, and most school buildings while clarifying penalties for violations.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 628 modifies Oklahoma law regarding where firearms can be carried. The bill allows private schools to adopt policies permitting licensed individuals to carry weapons on their property and vehicles, providing liability protection for schools that do so. It also permits concealed handgun carry at municipal zoos and parks managed by public trusts or non-profits. Additionally, the bill allows concealed handgun carry at temporary public events without strict security measures,

Maddy summaryHB 1831 creates Oklahoma's first formal certification system for community health workers, establishing voluntary certification through the State Department of Health. It defines key terms, sets eligibility (Oklahoma residency, 18+ years old, U.S. residency, and 1,000 hours work experience option), and requires the Department to set standards, exams, and fees. The law specifically enables certified workers to serve as health liaisons, identify service gaps, and build community health capacity - while also authorizing partnerships with faith-based organizations for outreach. The certification becomes effective November 1, 2025, and does not require mandatory certification for workers.

Maddy summaryHB 1603 requires Oklahoma public schools to teach a specific human growth and development curriculum, including a high-definition ultrasound video showing fetal development and a computer animation of cell/organ growth. It mandates this content be delivered in an age-appropriate manner, with parents able to opt their child out using a state-prescribed form two weeks before instruction. The bill affects all public school students in grades 9-12, as completion of this curriculum is required for graduation with a standard diploma unless a parent opts out. Schools must integrate this into health or science courses and align it with state academic standards, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1831 creates a voluntary certification program for community health workers in Oklahoma through the Oklahoma Community Health Workers Act. It establishes standards for certification, requiring applicants to be Oklahoma residents, 18+, and meet work experience or training criteria, while defining their core duties like connecting communities to health services and identifying resource gaps. The State Department of Health will set certification rules, fees, and partnerships with faith-based organizations to support outreach in underserved areas. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1603 requires Oklahoma public schools to teach an age-appropriate human growth and development curriculum in health or science classes, directly affecting students in grades K-12, parents/guardians (via opt-out rights), and school districts (responsible for implementation). The curriculum must include specific content: human biology related to pregnancy, fetal development inside a womb, a 3-minute high-definition ultrasound video of fetal development, and computer-generated animations showing cell and organ growth. Parents may opt their child out of the curriculum two weeks before instruction using a state-prescribed form. Students in grades 9-12 must complete this instruction to graduate with a standard diploma unless an opt-out form was submitted. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.