Healthcare

HB 1523 would create a pilot program allowing Oklahoma public schools to offer virtual mental health services through telehealth. The State Department of Education must develop this program, with schools able to opt in by applying. Key provisions include requiring parental consent before services, limiting initial funding to $25,000, and defining "health benefit plan" per existing state law. The pilot aims to improve student mental health access without mandating participation. (Note: The bill was withdrawn from committee on February 19, 2025.)

HB 1472 requires nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and similar care providers that advertise specialized dementia care to disclose specific details about their services. Facilities must submit a standardized form to Oklahoma's State Department of Health covering care philosophy, staffing ratios, resident activities, fees, and facility certifications. This information must be posted on the facility's website and made publicly available through a state-maintained online directory. Facilities falsely advertising dementia care without meeting these standards face civil penalties and misdemeanor charges. The law aims to ensure transparency for families considering care options for loved ones with dementia.

HB 1173 allows licensed psychologists in Oklahoma to prescribe medication for mental health conditions under two certification pathways. Psychologists seeking a "conditional" certificate must complete advanced training (including 450+ hours of coursework and supervised practice) and work under a supervising physician. Those qualifying for a full "prescription certificate" meet additional requirements, including 400+ hours treating 100+ patients, enabling independent prescribing without physician supervision. The bill directly affects psychologists seeking prescribing authority, setting specific educational and clinical standards for both certification levels, effective November 2025.

HB 1911 establishes Oklahoma's administrative structure for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline System, directly affecting residents seeking mental health crisis support and behavioral health providers. The bill creates a "988 Trust Fund" funded by a new phone service fee on landlines, mobile, and VoIP services, with proceeds used for workforce retention, crisis system improvements, and maximizing federal funding. Key provisions include defining crisis services, requiring trauma-informed care, and mandating collaboration between mobile crisis teams, law enforcement, and community outreach teams. The bill aims to strengthen Oklahoma's behavioral health crisis response system by standardizing services and ensuring equitable access across all communities. It becomes effective upon enactment.