SB 1255 requires Oklahoma's Department of Corrections medical director to certify qualifying medical conditions and request the Pardon and Parole Board to place eligible inmates on a special docket for compassionate parole consideration. It directly affects inmates with specific terminal or debilitating conditions like dementia, cancer, HIV/AIDS, or conditions causing near-death (six-month life expectancy), or those unable to perform basic self-care. The bill bypasses the standard two-step parole hearing process for these inmates and mandates that at least three Board members must concur to consider medical parole. The Board must document concurrence in meeting minutes, and parolees may face revocation if their medical condition poses public safety risks.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to expand Oklahoma's Medicaid program to cover low-income adults. It would require the state to maintain eligibility without additional restrictions and allow Oklahoma to halt Medicaid expansion funding if federal matching falls below 90%. The amendment must be approved by voters via ballot measure. If passed, it would change Medicaid eligibility rules and create a specific funding threshold for state coverage. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to place this proposal on the ballot for voter approval.
This bill requires Oklahoma hospitals to provide patients experiencing fetal death or miscarriage with a form explaining how to request official certificates (fetal death or stillbirth birth certificates) before discharge. Hospitals must also verbally inform patients about these certificate options. The State Department of Health must create and publish this standardized form online, including clear instructions and contact details for vital records. The law takes effect November 1, 2026, directly affecting hospitals and patients in Oklahoma facing these medical circumstances.
HB 3329 extends the expiration date of Oklahoma's Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027. The bill modifies Oklahoma Statutes Section 1-1923 to continue the board's operation, which advises the State Commissioner of Health on long-term care services. The advisory board, composed of 13 members including healthcare professionals, facility operators, and public representatives, provides recommendations on care standards for nursing homes, residential care facilities, and adult day care centers. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, as an emergency measure.
HB 4457 prohibits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from owning or controlling pharmacy licenses in Oklahoma. The State Board of Pharmacy must revoke licenses of violators after November 2026, though it may issue temporary licenses for rare, orphan, or limited-distribution drugs until September 2028. Pharmacies must notify patients of service changes by January 2027, and the Board must provide lists of compliant pharmacies. This law prevents conflicts of interest by restricting PBMs from owning pharmacies.
HB 3544 prohibits AI chatbots with human-like features (e.g., claiming sentience or seeking emotional bonds) from being available to minors under 18. It requires developers to implement age verification systems and offer alternative versions without such features for minors. Therapeutic chatbots providing mental health support are exempt if they include clear disclaimers, require professional oversight, provide clinical evidence of safety, and maintain transparency. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $7,500 per intentional violation, with minors or parents able to seek damages of $100-$750 per incident. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3127 protects Oklahoma medical marijuana patients and caregivers from discrimination in employment, public assistance, and firearm ownership. It prohibits employers from refusing to hire, firing, or penalizing individuals solely for being a licensed medical marijuana user, and bars denial of Medicaid, SNAP, or firearm rights based on that status. However, the bill mandates a "zero-tolerance" policy for safety-sensitive jobs (like operating vehicles, handling hazardous materials, or direct patient care), allowing employers to enforce drug testing and discipline for marijuana use at work. Employers may still maintain written drug testing policies under state standards, but cannot deny employment based solely on medical marijuana license status or a positive test if the user is licensed and not impaired at work.
HB 3052 requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services (DHS) to initiate a mandatory "enhanced child safety review" when a parent has two or more drug-exposed infants (born positive for drugs or with drug-positive mothers) within five years. This triggers DHS to notify qualified family members (like grandparents or aunts/uncles without abuse history) about safety planning and placement options, while hospitals must report drug-positive births to enable statewide tracking. The bill prevents DHS from withholding notification solely due to confidentiality concerns when child safety is at risk and explicitly prohibits criminalizing pregnancy or substance use disorder. It affects DHS, hospitals, courts, and families by mandating coordinated responses to prevent repeat harm, based on the case of Sir Major White-Bullock.
HB 3587 allows Oklahoma courts to order outpatient mental health treatment instead of hospitalization for eligible individuals, prioritizing community-based care when it meets treatment needs and prevents harm to the person or others. The bill requires certified community mental health centers to develop treatment plans in collaboration with the individual, advocates, and their treatment team, which must be approved by the court. Courts must review these plans at least every 90 days through status hearings (with 72-hour notice), prohibit forced medication administration, and allow modifications or extensions if needed. This law directly affects individuals under court-ordered outpatient treatment and mental health providers, ensuring structured oversight while preserving patient rights.
HB 3287 requires all Oklahoma hospitals and healthcare facilities to post clear signage in visible and private areas, stating: "If you are a victim of domestic abuse or human trafficking for commercial sex, please notify the staff of this facility immediately." The bill mandates facilities to create protocols for reporting suspected abuse or trafficking cases to law enforcement before a patient's discharge or release, while also including procedures to protect victims from contact with alleged perpetrators during this process. The State Department of Health must establish rules for signage size, placement, and format. This law takes effect on November 1, 2026, directly impacting healthcare providers and supporting victims of domestic violence and human trafficking.
