Maddy summarySB 1774 authorizes Oklahoma district courts to place a child in temporary emergency custody for up to 72 hours when a parent refuses to cooperate with a Department of Human Services investigation into alleged child abuse or neglect. This provision directly affects children in potential abuse cases, parents who block investigations, and district courts making custody decisions. The bill amends existing law to allow courts to issue these emergency custody orders upon a district attorney’s application, following a parent’s refusal to cooperate during an investigation. It does not change the core process for investigating abuse or neglect but adds a specific tool for situations where parental non-cooperation endangers a child’s immediate safety. The measure focuses on enabling swift court intervention to protect children during active investigations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 1681, the "Preserving Oklahoma Values Act of 2026," makes court rulings or contracts based on foreign law (outside U.S. states/territories) invalid if they conflict with defined "Judeo-Christian Western rights and values." These rights include due process, free speech, religious freedom, and marriage as defined by Oklahoma’s Constitution. The law applies to courts, administrative bodies, and contracts involving foreign legal systems but excludes Native American tribal laws, religious organizations handling internal matters, and entities voluntarily subjecting themselves to foreign law. It declares an emergency, requiring immediate effect upon passage.
Maddy summarySB 1654 requires health care benefit plans (like insurance companies) to reimburse mobile integrated healthcare (MIH) providers at specific rates. For non-transport treatments, plans must pay at least the state Medicaid program's minimum rate. For MIH providers who transport patients to alternative destinations (e.g., clinics instead of hospitals), reimbursement must match basic or advanced life support rates based on patient needs. This applies to all MIH suppliers and affects how health plans cover these services in Oklahoma. The bill directs the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to establish the reimbursement methodology.
Maddy summarySB 1615 expands eligibility for Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program to include children of certified classroom teachers and certified administrators. The bill amends eligibility requirements (70 O.S. § 2603) to add a new qualifying category under paragraph 8(e), allowing these students to qualify for tuition assistance if they meet other standard program criteria like residency, academic performance, and financial need. This change directly affects students whose parents work as certified educators in Oklahoma schools. The bill updates statutory language to reflect this expansion and repeals prior eligibility language. It takes effect immediately upon enactment as an emergency measure.
Maddy summarySB 1603 allows local governments (like cities or counties) that are beneficiaries of multi-jurisdictional public trusts to withdraw from those trusts. Upon withdrawal, they are entitled to a fair share of the trust’s assets based on their proportional contribution, participation, and interest in the trust. If the beneficiaries or trustees cannot agree on the division, a district court will determine the distribution using equitable principles. The bill applies to all such trusts created before, on, or after its effective date (November 1, 2026), without affecting third-party creditor rights.
Maddy summarySB 1677, the "Veterinary Telemedicine for Livestock Care Act," establishes rules for Oklahoma veterinarians to use telemedicine (remote care via video, photos, or electronic records) when in-person visits aren't immediately possible to prevent death, serious harm, or unnecessary suffering in livestock. It requires veterinarians to gather sufficient clinical information through telecommunication methods, document encounters like in-person visits, and prohibits using telemedicine for routine procedures like annual herd vaccinations without State Board approval. The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners will create rules covering telemedicine standards, recordkeeping, veterinarian training, and medication prescribing limitations. The law directly affects licensed veterinarians and livestock owners/caretakers across Oklahoma's agricultural sector.
Maddy summarySB 1852 requires the Oklahoma Senate's advice and consent for two specific appointments to county boards of health: the State Commissioner of Health must appoint one member (with Senate approval), and another member must also be appointed by the Commissioner with Senate approval. This changes the existing process, where these appointments were previously made without Senate input. The bill directly affects the State Commissioner of Health and the Oklahoma Senate, adding a legislative review step for these roles. It amends Section 1-201 of Oklahoma's public health code and takes effect November 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 1585 designates the bridge on U.S. Highway 64 Business crossing the railroad in Muskogee, Muskogee County, as the "Charlie Randolph Memorial Bridge" and requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install markers bearing this name. The bill has no policy impact beyond memorializing an individual; it does not alter transportation laws or funding. The designation becomes effective November 1, 2026. This is a procedural bill with no direct effect on legislation or public policy.
Maddy summarySB 1573 expands funding under Oklahoma's Rural Economic Action Plan by broadening eligibility for communities and projects. It allows 11 additional regional development organizations (like ACOG and INCOG) to apply for funds, and extends eligible projects to include water infrastructure repairs, sewer systems, and water treatment. The bill prioritizes cities/towns with populations under 1,750 and prohibits matching funds, while capping annual awards at $350,000 per entity. It directly affects rural Oklahoma communities, small municipalities, and water districts seeking infrastructure improvements.
Maddy summarySB 1371 allocates $8 million from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to create the Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity Fund, with $8 million then specifically directed to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. This funding is for constructing public safety facilities (like emergency response centers) within a 30-mile radius of Oklahoma municipalities north of I-40 and east of I-44 that have populations between 35,000 and 50,000 residents. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and declares an emergency to expedite implementation. It directly affects eligible rural communities and the Department of Commerce, focusing on targeted infrastructure development.