Sen. Nikki Nice

Maddy summarySB 1723, the "Oklahoma Time Taken, Time Back Act," requires courts to order additional visitation time for parents who were denied court-ordered visitation due to certain investigations (like those by the Department of Human Services or protective orders) that did not result in findings of abuse or neglect. The bill mandates that any additional time must match the type and duration of the denied visitation, occur within two years, and be scheduled at the parent’s preferred time (subject to court rules). It specifically excludes lawsuits against the Department of Human Services, preserving its immunity from liability. This law directly affects parents whose visitation rights were disrupted by non-abusive investigations.

Maddy summarySB 1649 prohibits Oklahoma's Medicaid program (administered by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority) from requiring healthcare providers to disclose whether they perform, refer for, or are affiliated with abortion services. This applies specifically to contracting, Medicaid payment, and credentialing processes. The bill directly affects Medicaid providers who previously might have faced such disclosure demands as a condition of participation. It mandates the Authority to create implementing rules and declares an emergency for immediate effect.

Maddy summarySB 1607 prohibits sentencing juveniles (persons under 18 at the time of the offense) who are certified as adults for certain crimes to life imprisonment without parole or mandatory minimum sentences exceeding 20 years. The bill amends Oklahoma statutes (10A O.S. § 2-5-204 and 22 O.S. § 985.1) to establish these specific sentencing limits for juveniles tried as adults. It directly affects youth convicted of crimes after being certified to stand trial as adults under Oklahoma’s juvenile justice system. The law aims to limit severe prison terms for young offenders while maintaining adult criminal proceedings for those certified as adults.

Maddy summarySB 1648, the "Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act," requires Oklahoma Medicaid to cover specific maternal health services for pregnant and postpartum women. It mandates separate reimbursement for prenatal, delivery, and postpartum care (including office visits, lab work, remote monitoring, and gestational diabetes management) instead of bundled payments, and adds coverage for depression screening, self-measured blood pressure monitoring, remote ultrasounds, and doulas/community health workers for home visits. The bill also establishes presumptive eligibility for pregnant applicants to access immediate prenatal care while processing full applications. These changes take effect November 1, 2026, and require the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to seek necessary federal approvals.

Maddy summarySB 2097 amends specific definitions within Oklahoma's Juvenile Code (10A O.S. 2021, Section 2-1-103) to clarify terminology used in juvenile justice proceedings. It defines key terms like "behavioral health" (including mental health and substance abuse treatment), "community-based" services (near-home programs for prevention/diversion), and "core community-based" services (specific counseling, case management, and rehabilitative treatments). The bill directly affects juveniles, families, and juvenile justice professionals by standardizing how services and legal terms are applied in court and treatment settings. This definition update aims to improve consistency in implementing existing juvenile justice programs and reporting.

Maddy summarySB 1270 creates the Oklahoma Commission on Race and Equality to address racial discrimination in state systems. The commission, appointed with 13 members (3 by Governor, 3 by Senate leader, 3 by House leader, and 4 by the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus), will monitor state legislation for discriminatory impacts, serve as a research resource on racial bias, and provide recommendations on diversity in appointments. It must submit annual reports to the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, and will be funded through a revolving fund for operational expenses. The commission takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1268 raises Oklahoma's minimum wage to $13.00 per hour, with an additional $0.50 increase each year for five years after the law takes effect. This bill directly affects all employers in Oklahoma who pay hourly wages, particularly low-wage workers in the state. The policy change updates the existing Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act to provide a phased, multi-year increase rather than a single adjustment. The law becomes effective after its passage, setting a new baseline wage that gradually rises over time.

Maddy summarySB 1269 amends Oklahoma's Heritage Preservation Grant Program to allow grants to cover eligible capital improvements and repairs (such as building maintenance or renovations), which were previously excluded. This change directly affects museums, historical societies, and other organizations preserving Oklahoma heritage by expanding their funding options beyond operating costs. The bill updates Section 415 of state law to explicitly permit these expenses while maintaining focus on collections, education, and exhibits. The amendment takes effect on November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1294 prohibits detention facilities in Oklahoma from charging fees for phone calls made by individuals held in those facilities. It specifically applies to facilities operated by the Office of Juvenile Affairs (for juvenile detention) and the Department of Corrections (for adult correctional facilities). The bill bans any fees or charges for placing phone calls from these facilities, directly affecting incarcerated individuals and their families who rely on communication. The law takes effect on November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1296 limits annual rent increases for Oklahoma landlords in month-to-month tenancies to 7% plus the Consumer Price Index, affecting residential tenants and landlords statewide. Landlords must provide tenants with 90 days' written notice before any increase and disclose the new rent amount and effective date. An exception applies if the landlord offers reduced rent through federal, state, or local housing programs. Violating these rules subjects landlords to paying tenants three months' rent plus actual damages, effective November 1, 2026.