HB 1566, known as "Neil's Law," establishes the Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act (OEAA) to protect vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. The law defines vulnerable adults as individuals 18+ who cannot manage their financial or health needs due to mental illness, disability, or other impairments, and creates a civil right for them (or their legal representatives) to sue abusers or exploiters. Key provisions include clear definitions of abuse, exploitation, and neglect; court requirements to encourage vulnerable adults' participation in decisions; and ensuring legal claims survive the vulnerable adult's death. The law does not replace mandatory reporting obligations to Adult Protective Services for suspected abuse.
This bill amends Oklahoma law to add a new member representing federally recognized American Indian tribes to the state Medicaid Advisory Committee, expanding the committee's composition to include sixteen members instead of fifteen. The change ensures tribal representation on the advisory body that reviews Medicaid policy, program administration, and health care service delivery for public assistance recipients. The bill also updates appointment terms to a maximum of four consecutive years and clarifies that committee members receive travel reimbursement but no compensation for their service. Effective November 1, 2025, the committee will continue its existing duties of providing recommendations to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority while incorporating the new tribal member's perspective.
This bill creates a simplified process for Oklahoma's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help elderly or disabled residents. It allows individuals aged 60+ or with disabilities who have no earned income and live in a household of similar members to stay on SNAP for 36 months without annual recertification, using a shortened application and reduced verification. The bill also increases SNAP medical deductions, permitting households with elderly or disabled members to deduct up to $175 per person (or $350 total) for qualifying expenses like prescriptions and doctor visits. These changes aim to reduce administrative barriers for vulnerable Oklahomans while maintaining federal SNAP requirements.
SB 947 updates Oklahoma's nursing facility fee structure and fund allocation rules to improve long-term care services for seniors. It revises how the Nursing Facilities Quality of Care Fee is calculated (based on 6% of total patient gross receipts divided by patient days) and designates specific uses for the resulting fund, including funding 15 ombudsmen positions and increasing monthly personal needs allowances for nursing home residents from $30 to $50. The bill ensures these programs - such as Medicaid services, nursing facility inspections, and senior support services - remain exempt from budget cuts. It directly affects nursing facilities (which pay the fee), seniors receiving Medicaid long-term care, and state agencies managing these programs. The bill was enacted without the Governor's signature on May 13, 2025.
SB 1066 creates a state registry for physicians who recommend medical marijuana in Oklahoma, requiring them to complete specific medical education courses annually to be listed. It mandates that all medical marijuana businesses use a detailed inventory tracking system to record every transaction, from planting to sale, including product types, batches, and sales data. The law also prohibits physicians from being located at the same address as dispensaries and requires them to notify the authority if a patient no longer qualifies for a medical marijuana license. These changes apply directly to licensed physicians, medical marijuana businesses, and the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, effective January 1, 2026. The bill was signed into law by the governor on May 9, 2025.
SB 522 creates an Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Executive Advisory Council with six appointed members representing diverse stakeholders, including patients, business owners, and rural/urban communities. The bill requires this Council to establish a task force to research and recommend purchase and possession limits for medical marijuana patients, consulting with physicians, patient groups, veterans, and industry stakeholders. The task force must submit a final report by November 1, 2026, while the Council must issue annual reports to state leadership by November 1 each year. The bill focuses on gathering stakeholder input through structured research rather than changing existing medical marijuana laws. (Note: The bill was vetoed by the Governor on May 9, 2025.)
SB 515 allows Oklahoma health insurance enrollees to pay health care providers directly for covered, medically necessary services at negotiated lower prices. If the patient pays out of pocket for such a service (at a price below the insurer's standard rate), the provider must accept it as full payment and cannot bill for any balance. The insurer must then count this payment toward the patient's deductible and out-of-pocket maximum, depending on whether the provider was in-network or out-of-network. The bill applies to most health benefit plans (excluding Medicaid, Medicare supplements, and short-term plans) and takes effect November 1, 2025. It directly affects patients, providers, and insurers by changing how out-of-pocket payments count toward coverage costs.
SB 1019 requires Oklahoma health insurers to cover continuous anesthesia services without arbitrary time limits during medical procedures. It defines "anesthesia time" as the period from patient preparation through service discontinuation and mandates that insurers cannot restrict coverage or payment based on time duration. The law directly affects insurers and anesthesia providers by eliminating policies that previously limited coverage for procedures requiring extended anesthesia care. Effective November 1, 2025, this bill codifies these requirements into Oklahoma Statutes (Title 36, Section 7500).
HB 2295 prohibits public trust hospitals in Oklahoma communities with fewer than 30,000 residents (per federal census) from transferring their licenses to locations more than 15 miles away. If a hospital plans to close, the bill mandates a mediation process: the hospital and municipality each appoint a mediator, who then select a third mediator to set a sale price for the facility if agreement isn’t reached. Hospital trustees must complete an approved education program within 90 days of appointment and certify they have no financial ties to potential buyers. The bill also requires CMS provider numbers to revert to the hospital immediately upon termination of third-party leases. It takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 2746 amends Oklahoma's Remote Quality Jobs Incentive Act to require proxy establishments (entities that attract remote workers to the state) to verify that included remote workers have basic health insurance meeting specific coverage standards. The insurance must cover hospital care, physician services, mental health, substance abuse treatment, prescription drugs, and prenatal care, with employees paying no more than 50% of the premium. The bill also clarifies key terms like "remote worker" (an employee working outside Oklahoma who hasn't lived there in the past year) and "new direct job" (a job created by an establishment other than the proxy that didn't exist before application approval). The law takes effect November 1, 2025, and became effective without the Governor's signature on May 8, 2025.
