SB 2049 requires Oklahoma's Department of Transportation to notify the Attorney General before making a claim against a surety company (insurance guaranteeing contractor performance) for a contractor's failure to complete work. The Attorney General must then review and approve the claim before the Department can proceed. This procedural change, effective November 1, 2026, adds an approval step to the claims process without altering the Department's ability to make claims.
SB 1944 amends Oklahoma's workers' compensation law by updating key definitions in the Administrative Workers' Compensation Act. It clarifies who qualifies as an "actually dependent" for benefits, specifies requirements for certified "case managers" (including nursing licenses and specific certifications), and refines the definition of "compensable injury" to exclude injuries caused by alcohol/drug use, natural aging, or preexisting conditions without proven aggravation from work. These changes directly affect injured workers seeking benefits, employers, insurance carriers, and healthcare providers involved in workers' compensation claims. The bill aims to standardize eligibility and claim processing without creating new benefits or altering benefit amounts.
SB 1794 requires Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health to create a real-time statewide registry tracking mental health facility availability, directly affecting hospitals and clinics that serve patients. The registry will display current capacity, populations served, diagnostic details (without patient identifiers), admission criteria, and emergency placement contacts to improve urgent care access. Facilities must electronically update their capacity hourly (or per department rules for low-volume settings) and comply with privacy laws like HIPAA. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, aiming to streamline emergency placements without sharing identifiable patient data.
SB 1502 removes the requirement for an Alzheimer-Dementia Disclosure Act Advisory Council that previously advised Oklahoma's State Department of Health on dementia care disclosure forms. The bill eliminates the Council's role in developing standardized disclosure forms and making recommendations, while keeping existing requirements for long-term care facilities to disclose detailed dementia care services (such as staff ratios, activities, fees, and facility philosophy) to patients, families, and the Department. Facilities offering dementia-specific care must still submit these disclosures to the Department before admitting residents. The change directly affects dementia care facilities, the State Department of Health, and the disclosure process, without altering the disclosure content or requirements themselves. The bill updates statutory language and sets an effective date but does not create new obligations.
SB 1557 transfers the licensing authority for behavior analysts from Oklahoma's Department of Human Services to the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners. The bill requires all applicants to undergo a national criminal history background check and updates definitions to clarify that only professionals certified by the national Behavior Analyst Certification Board (and licensed by the State Board) may practice applied behavior analysis. It also specifies that supervisees must work under a licensed behavior analyst and maintains requirements for renewal and professional conduct standards. This changes who oversees licensure, adds background checks, and standardizes practice rules for behavior analysts.
SB 2110 allows Oklahoma egg producers to sell ungraded eggs directly to consumers at their farm, farmers' markets, or through other direct sales channels, provided the eggs come from hens raised on the same farm. It limits eligible producers to selling no more than 150 ungraded eggs per month. The bill does not change rules for graded egg sales and applies only to small-scale producers selling directly to consumers. It becomes effective November 1, 2026.
SB 1630 allows Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools to count up to two days (12 hours) of virtual instruction toward their annual requirement of 1,086 classroom hours, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. This applies only if the school district submits a virtual instruction plan approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The bill prohibits counting virtual instruction days toward the requirement except under this limited exception, directly affecting all Oklahoma public schools and charter schools. It modifies existing school year requirements but does not change the core 1,086-hour or 181-day instructional standards.
SB 1553 amends Oklahoma's Medicaid appeal process to ensure appeals for denied claims are reviewed by qualified mental health professionals. It requires reviewers (like psychologists) to hold valid licenses, have relevant clinical experience, and avoid conflicts of interest, while banning automated review systems. The bill also establishes that if an appeal successfully reverses a denied claim, the psychologist or mental health provider can recover costs for time spent on the appeal. This directly affects Medicaid members, providers, and mental health professionals handling appeals.
SB 1425 repeals three existing Oklahoma statutes related to health care workforce programs: 70 O.S. 2021 §2640 (Oklahoma Health Care Workers and Educators Assistance Program) and 74 O.S. 2021 §§3200.1-3200.2 (Health Care Workforce Resources Act). This bill eliminates the legal framework for these specific programs, which previously provided assistance to health care workers and educators. The repeal takes effect on November 1, 2026, and directly affects the administrative structure and operations of those programs. No new provisions or funding are created; the bill solely removes the existing laws.
This Oklahoma Senate Bill 2104 updates trust law to clarify court procedures, strengthen beneficiary protections, and modernize dispute resolution. It specifies that trust disputes must be filed in the county where the trustee resides (amending Section 175.23), prevents trustees from using distribution powers to weaken beneficiary rights or reduce their own fiduciary duties (amending Section 175.717), and expands when trustees and beneficiaries can reach binding nonjudicial settlements without court approval (amending Section 1402). The bill directly affects trustees managing trusts, beneficiaries receiving trust assets, and courts handling trust administration cases. These changes aim to streamline trust disputes while ensuring trustees uphold their duties to beneficiaries.
SB 1732 increases licensing fees for several Oklahoma professions, including home inspectors, construction contractors, and roofing professionals. It raises the home inspection license fee from $250 to $400 and renewal from $150 to $240, while setting new maximums like $480 for initial contractor licenses and $320 for renewal fees under the Construction Industries Board. These changes directly affect licensed professionals seeking to obtain or renew their credentials in these fields. The bill specifies exact fee amounts for applications, licenses, renewals, and endorsements across multiple industries.
SB 1832 reauthorizes Oklahoma taxpayers' ability to donate a portion of their state income tax refund to two veterans programs. It extends the option for donations to fund the Indigent Veteran Burial Program (reimbursing up to $500 per veteran, capped at $20,000 annually) and the Veterans Affairs Equipment and Capital Improvement Program (funding equipment purchases and facility projects). The bill updates the covered tax years (2017-2020 and 2026 onward for burial; 1994-2008 and 2026 onward for equipment) and establishes revolving funds administered by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. These funds, held in the state treasury, are dedicated to specific veteran services with clear spending limits, and donations remain optional for taxpayers.
