Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; modifying appointing authority of the Commissioner. Effective date.

SB 1430 amends Oklahoma Statute 43A O.S. 2021, Section 2-101, to change the removal process for the Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The bill specifies that the Commissioner may now be removed by a two-thirds vote of each legislative chamber (House and Senate), rather than by the Governor alone or through other mechanisms. It also updates all references in state law to reflect the department's full name, "Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services." This change directly affects the Commissioner and the governance structure of the department, effective November 1, 2026. The bill does not alter the Commissioner’s appointment authority (still by the Governor with Senate consent).