Healthcare

HB 2057 establishes a 7% tax on retail medical marijuana sales in Oklahoma, collected at the point of sale. Tax revenue is allocated annually starting July 2026: $65 million is divided between the State Public Common School Building Fund (59.23%), the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (34.62%), drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs (5%), and the Trauma Care Assistance Revolving Fund (1.15%). Any surplus tax collections go to the General Revenue Fund. The bill also requires medical marijuana businesses to pay taxes or face permanent license revocation.

HB 2248 creates rural mental health pilot programs in Oklahoma designed to redirect individuals with mental health needs away from the criminal justice system and into treatment programs. The bill authorizes the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to develop these programs (subject to funding) and enter contracts to implement them, focusing on rural communities. It requires the Department’s Board to create necessary rules for the programs’ operation and sets an effective date of November 1, 2025. The bill directly affects rural Oklahomans facing mental health challenges who might otherwise interact with law enforcement or courts.

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.