HB 3793 establishes new training hour requirements for nursing education programs in Oklahoma. It mandates that diploma programs for registered nurses must total 1,300-1,500 hours (including clinical training), while LPN-to-RN ladder programs must provide 600-700 additional nursing hours beyond LPN education. Non-nursing coursework in both program types is capped at 330 hours. The bill affects nursing programs seeking state approval and takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3682, the Oklahoma Clean Indoor Air Act, prohibits smoking in most indoor public spaces including workplaces, restaurants, bars, government buildings, schools, stores, and public transportation starting November 1, 2026. It allows exceptions for tobacco shops with proper ventilation, private residences (except for childcare/health services), designated hotel smoking rooms (limited percentage), and tribal lands. Establishments must display clear "No Smoking" signage, and the State Department of Health will create enforcement rules. Local governments may adopt stricter smoking bans than this state law.
HB 3324 creates a statewide health platform to connect Oklahoma's hospitals, emergency medical services (EMS), and public health entities through a unified, cloud-based system. The platform must provide real-time communication tools - including live video consultations, ECG/image sharing, and emergency alerts - for time-sensitive cases like strokes, heart attacks, and mass casualty incidents. It establishes a revolving fund in the state treasury, funded by state/federal appropriations and donations, to implement and maintain this system. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and requires all eligible health entities to use the platform for emergency coordination.
HB 3714 appropriates $1,000,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund for the Barbara Weber ALS Grant Program during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds will support the Oklahoma State Department of Health in administering grants to assist individuals diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The bill authorizes the use of these funds to cover program operations but does not establish new eligibility criteria or services. It becomes effective July 1, 2026, and includes an emergency clause for immediate implementation. This is a funding authorization for an existing program, not a new policy.
HB 3699 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid agency (OHCA) to seek federal approval for a supplemental reimbursement rate for physician practices, community health workers, and nonprofits already enrolled in Oklahoma's patient-centered medical home program. This rate specifically supports pediatric care for children from birth to age four, covering wellness visits and funding interdisciplinary staff needed to implement team-based care aligned with Bright Futures screening guidelines (at 9, 18, and 30 months). Providers must verify ongoing participation in evidence-based pediatric practice models through annual documentation. The bill mandates OHCA to periodically review the rate during future Medicaid physician service rate adjustments and takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3887 removes a 30-day limit requiring physical therapists to obtain a doctor's referral for patient care in Oklahoma. It allows physical therapists (including those working directly for employers) to provide treatment without a referral for up to 30 days, after which a referral from a physician, dentist, chiropractor, podiatrist, or advanced nurse is required. The bill specifically exempts care for children under federal education laws (IDEA/Section 504) and allows physical therapists to offer wellness/prevention services without referrals. It does not change requirements for students, federal employees, or prevent physical therapists from performing screening or educational services. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 4410 regulates referral agencies that connect seniors to assisted living facilities. It requires agencies to provide clear, written disclosures to consumers before referrals, including fee details, payment responsibility, and the right to terminate services without penalty. The bill prohibits agencies from charging fees for facility transfers within the same provider, after 12 months of service, or for referrals to unlicensed facilities. It also bans conflicts of interest (like owning facilities they refer to) and mandates background checks, insurance, and annual facility license audits for referral agencies. These changes directly affect consumers choosing care, referral agencies, and assisted living facilities.
SB 207 establishes the Oklahoma Rare Disease Advisory Council within the State Department of Health to address the needs of Oklahomans living with rare diseases (defined as conditions affecting fewer than 200,000 people nationally). The Council, composed of 13 diverse members including patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, researchers, and industry representatives, will conduct public hearings, develop policy recommendations, and create emergency care protocols to improve access to specialists, diagnostics, and equitable treatment. The bill also modifies Oklahoma’s newborn screening program to require an educational initiative for treatable genetic disorders, aiming to prevent intellectual disabilities and reduce infant mortality through early intervention. This legislation directly affects rare disease patients, their families, healthcare providers, and state agencies responsible for public health programs in Oklahoma.
SB 1039 modifies Oklahoma's medical marijuana licensing system. It establishes a new Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to process applications, sets a $100 biannual fee (or $20 for Medicaid/Medicare/SoonerCare users) for patient licenses, and creates three license types: standard two-year licenses, 60-day short-term licenses for patients with limited physician recommendations, and 30-day temporary licenses for out-of-state patients from regulated states. The bill requires the Authority to review applications within 14 business days and provide written denial reasons, while also creating caregiver licenses for homebound patients with specific limits. This law directly affects Oklahoma residents seeking medical marijuana access, out-of-state visitors with valid programs, and caregivers.
HB 2513, titled the "Oklahoma Mental Health Reform Act of 2025," proposed creating a position requiring an individual with specific qualifications to address the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services' court-ordered consent decree. The bill specified requirements for this appointee and included an emergency provision. It was scheduled to take effect November 1, 2025, but was pocket-vetoed by the Governor on May 30, 2025, with the veto taking effect June 15, 2025, meaning it never became law. The bill directly affected the Department's compliance with its existing legal agreement but was not enacted.
