Sen. Brenda Stanley

Maddy summaryHB 2013 ("Dylan's Law") requires health insurers to provide equal coverage for epilepsy-related treatments as for other conditions, prohibits denying or terminating coverage solely due to an epilepsy diagnosis, and mandates coverage for prescribed neurostimulation devices. It also allows Oklahoma driver license holders diagnosed with epilepsy to voluntarily display a unique symbol on their license or in law enforcement systems to alert emergency responders. The bill updates insurance regulations under the Affordable Care Act and modifies driver license procedures, effective June 1, 2026. These changes directly affect epilepsy patients, insurers, and emergency personnel, aiming to improve access to care and emergency response.

Maddy summarySB 162 creates the "State Capitol Arch Memorial Statue Revolving Fund" within the Oklahoma State Treasury to support veteran memorial statues. The fund, managed by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), uses private donations, gifts, or grants specifically for installing and maintaining these statues around the State Capitol Arch. It became law on May 21, 2025, without the Governor's signature, and operates as a continuing fund not limited by fiscal years.

Maddy summarySB 162 creates the "State Capitol Arch Memorial Statue Revolving Fund" within Oklahoma's State Treasury, managed by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES). The fund accepts only private donations, gifts, or grants specifically designated for installing veteran memorial statues around the State Capitol Arch. Monies in the fund are used to pay for these statues and can be reused as funds are replenished, with expenditures approved by OMES. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and is a procedural measure focused solely on funding memorial installations.

Maddy summaryHB 2836, now law as of May 15, 2025, establishes clear procedures for Oklahoma veterans who choose to pay for services instead of using free state or federal veterans' assistance. The bill requires veterans to provide a written waiver acknowledging they understand free services are available through the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs or federally chartered organizations, and that they are voluntarily selecting paid help. This waiver must be signed, state the veteran's awareness of free options, and be retained by the service provider for one year for potential review by the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office. The law directly affects veterans opting for paid assistance, ensuring transparency in their decision to forgo free government-provided support.

Maddy summaryHB 2836 establishes guidelines for veterans in Oklahoma who choose to pay for services, even when free assistance is available. It allows veterans to voluntarily waive their right to free services by signing a written document. This waiver must confirm the veteran understands free services are available from the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and other federally chartered organizations, and that they are opting for paid assistance. Service providers are required to retain these signed waivers for one year for potential review by the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office.

Maddy summaryHB 1574 creates the Office of Juvenile System Oversight to inspect and investigate Oklahoma's children's facilities, including privately operated ones receiving state or federal funds. The office can examine records, budgets, and facilities; investigate complaints (including those from foster parents about retaliation); subpoena witnesses; and hold public hearings. It specifically protects foster parents who report issues by prohibiting retaliation for filing grievances or cooperating with investigations. The bill also requires annual reports to state leaders and became law without a governor's signature on May 14, 2025, under an emergency clause.

Maddy summarySB 731 expands Oklahoma's evidence rules to allow statements from "vulnerable adults" (as defined in state law) to be admitted as evidence in court cases involving abuse, neglect, or sexual contact. The bill specifically permits such statements in juvenile delinquency cases, criminal trials, and related proceedings when the vulnerable adult is a victim or witness to crimes like physical abuse, sexual assault, or domestic violence. These statements can be used without the person testifying in court if they're unavailable or if the court deems the statement non-testimonial. The law applies to cases involving specific crimes listed in Oklahoma statutes, including those against children or vulnerable adults.

Maddy summarySB 731 modifies the Oklahoma Evidence Code to expand who can have their statements admitted as evidence in certain legal proceedings. The bill adds "vulnerable adults" to an existing hearsay exception, which previously applied to children and incapacitated persons. This change allows statements made by vulnerable adults describing physical abuse, domestic abuse, neglect, or specific sexual crimes against them or witnessed by them to be admissible. These statements can be used in juvenile deprived proceedings, pre-trial and post-trial criminal and juvenile delinquent proceedings, and criminal and juvenile delinquent trials under specified conditions.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1574 expands the authority of Oklahoma's Office of Juvenile System Oversight (OJSO), which oversees the children and youth service system. The bill specifically authorizes the OJSO to conduct inspections of privately-operated children's institutions and facilities that receive state or federal funding, in addition to state-operated ones. It grants the OJSO broader powers, including the ability to examine and copy all relevant records, interview residents, access facilities, and subpoena witnesses for public hearings. The legislation also clarifies the OJSO's role in investigating complaints of misfeasance or malfeasance and in handling certain foster parent complaints.

Maddy summaryHB 1940 amends Oklahoma's charter school law to establish a new annual limit: the Statewide Charter School Board may sponsor no more than five new charter schools per year in counties with fewer than 500,000 residents. This directly affects the Statewide Charter School Board's authority and charter school expansion in smaller counties, while maintaining existing sponsorship rules for other areas. The rule applies to all new charter school applications approved after July 1, 2025, when the bill takes effect. The bill does not change sponsorship requirements for schools in larger counties or other sponsor types.