Sen. Jo Anna Dossett

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes creating Oklahoma's first state-run paid family and medical leave insurance program. It would provide eligible workers (including employees and self-employed individuals who opt in) with up to 12 weeks of paid leave annually for childbirth, caring for a seriously ill family member, or personal medical needs. Benefits would be calculated based on the worker's average weekly earnings during their base period, with employers required to provide notice about the program and protect workers from retaliation for using benefits. The Oklahoma Department of Labor would administer the program, establish claim procedures, and require employers to maintain existing leave obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 3682, the Oklahoma Clean Indoor Air Act, prohibits smoking in most indoor public spaces including workplaces, restaurants, bars, government buildings, schools, stores, and public transportation starting November 1, 2026. It allows exceptions for tobacco shops with proper ventilation, private residences (except for childcare/health services), designated hotel smoking rooms (limited percentage), and tribal lands. Establishments must display clear "No Smoking" signage, and the State Department of Health will create enforcement rules. Local governments may adopt stricter smoking bans than this state law.

Maddy summarySB 1421 requires all clinical staff, direct care staff, and volunteers working with minor children in Oklahoma mental health facilities or programs certified by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to complete nonphysical intervention training. The training covers nonviolent conflict resolution, communication skills, and promoting dignity, and must be completed within 30 days of hire with annual updates. Staff or volunteers cannot intervene with a minor child without this training. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, applying to facilities receiving state funding through contracts with the Department.

Maddy summarySB 1522 allows licensed firearm dealers in Oklahoma to enter into written or oral "firearm hold agreements" with owners to temporarily store firearms. It grants dealers immunity from civil lawsuits related to storing or returning firearms under these agreements, except in cases of gross negligence or if the dealer knew the owner was prohibited from owning firearms or posed a danger. The bill directly affects firearm owners seeking temporary storage and licensed dealers offering such services. It becomes effective November 1, 2026, and codifies these provisions in Oklahoma Statutes.

Maddy summarySB 2002 protects pregnant and postpartum women who use substances by granting them immunity from prosecution for prescribed or unprescribed substance use if they are enrolled in or actively seeking treatment through a certified program. Health care providers can recommend enrollment in qualified addiction recovery programs, and women making good-faith treatment efforts cannot be prosecuted even if their infant shows signs of withdrawal or other health issues related to substance exposure. The bill also shields health care providers from civil liability for properly referring women to treatment and modifies district attorney protocols to prioritize treatment over prosecution. It explicitly preserves existing laws for reporting newborn exposure and pursuing unrelated child abuse cases.

Maddy summarySB 1431 allows pharmacists in Oklahoma to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives (like pills or patches) to patients without requiring a prescription, under a protocol established by the State Board of Pharmacy. Pharmacists must complete approved training and follow the Board's rules, which must be finalized by January 1, 2027. This change directly affects patients seeking accessible contraception and expands pharmacists' scope of practice for contraceptive care. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1408 requires Oklahoma's State Purchasing Director to create a bid-preference program for new businesses. It defines "eligible new corporations" as those operating less than five years and validly licensed in Oklahoma. The program mandates that if less than 10% of state contract funds go to such businesses, the lowest bid from an eligible new corporation receives a price adjustment to secure the contract. This applies to competitive bids under Oklahoma's Central Purchasing Act and Public Competitive Bidding Act. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 50 exempts the purchase of gun safes and gun safety devices from Oklahoma's sales tax. This change directly affects consumers who buy these items for personal use, as they will no longer pay state sales tax on these purchases. The bill amends Oklahoma's sales tax code (Section 1357) to add gun safes and safety devices to the list of tax-exempt items, aligning with existing exemptions for other safety equipment. The law took effect on May 29, 2025, after becoming law without the governor's signature.

Maddy summarySB 176 requires health insurance plans to cover certain prescription drugs that were previously not included in standard coverage. It directly affects health insurance providers and policyholders by mandating this specific coverage for eligible medications. The key provision is a new requirement for all health benefit plans to include these designated prescriptions without prior authorization or excessive cost-sharing. The law became effective on May 29, 2025, after the Governor did not sign it.

Maddy summarySB 176 requires health benefit plans (like employer or individual insurance) to cover specific prescription medications. It directly affects health insurers and planholders by mandating coverage for these drugs, which may reduce out-of-pocket costs for patients. The bill does not specify which medications but mandates that insurers include them in standard coverage. It became law on May 29, 2025, without a gubernatorial signature, applying to all qualifying health benefit plans in the state.