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.
HB 2049 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid managed care plans to comply with federal parity laws for mental health and substance use disorder coverage. It mandates regular compliance checks on nonquantitative treatment limitations (like prior authorization), creates a standardized process for handling parity complaints, and requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to publicly report on compliance. The law directly affects Medicaid managed care plans, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, and Medicaid beneficiaries seeking mental health or substance use services. Key provisions include contract requirements for parity analysis, public disclosure of compliance reports, and a 30-day deadline for publishing federal reports. The bill became effective November 1, 2025.
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.
HB 1601, the "ARCHER Act," extends maternity leave protections for eligible public school teachers in Oklahoma. It amends existing sick leave rules (70 O.S. § 6-104.8) to require school districts to provide extended leave for teachers who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past year, specifically covering pregnancy-related needs beyond standard sick leave. The bill creates a dedicated exception to current sick leave policies, ensuring teachers can take leave for maternity without losing pay, aligning with federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) standards. This directly affects full-time classroom teachers in public school districts who meet the employment threshold. The law became effective after Governor approval on May 6, 2025.
HB 2050 creates a new temporary licensure pathway for international medical graduates in Oklahoma who cannot immediately qualify for full licensure. It allows these applicants to obtain a limited license if they meet ECFMG standards, provide evidence of three years of post-graduate training or clinical practice abroad, secure employment at an accredited health care provider, and pass an English competency exam. During the limited license period (up to three years), they must practice only under supervision at an approved training program. After three years with no disciplinary issues and passing all USMLE exams, they may qualify for full licensure without the prior practice restrictions. This directly affects foreign-trained physicians seeking to practice in Oklahoma.
HB 1816 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid program to prioritize in-state medical providers for in-person care when local options are available, rather than contracting with out-of-state providers. It specifically applies to services requiring the patient's physical presence and direct provider care (excluding remote services like lab work). The Oklahoma Health Care Authority must seek federal approval to implement this change. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 1585 establishes mandatory training requirements for pharmacy technicians in Oklahoma. It requires pharmacy technicians to complete two phases of training: Phase I before receiving a permit, and Phase II within 90 days of permit issuance. Pharmacy managers must develop, document, and verify all training, with failure to complete Phase II voiding the permit. The law directly affects pharmacy technicians seeking permits, their employers (pharmacy managers), and the Oklahoma Pharmacy Board, which oversees compliance. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 2087 modifies Oklahoma's income tax credit for donations to qualified research institutes. It adjusts annual funding caps: for biomedical research institutes, the limit drops from $2 million to $1.5 million per year starting in 2026, while cancer research institute credits are capped at $500,000 annually. The credit percentage for each donation type is recalculated yearly based on prior-year claims, using specific formulas to stay within these new limits. Taxpayers donating to qualifying nonprofit biomedical or cancer research institutes (defined by NIH funding requirements) can claim the credit, with individual limits of $1,000-$25,000 depending on filing status or business type.
HB 1201 creates a 70% tax credit for Oklahoma taxpayers who donate to certified pregnancy resource centers, capping the credit at $50,000 per donor annually. To qualify, centers must provide free, non-abortion services (like prenatal care and counseling) without performing or referring for abortions, and must be certified by the state health director. The total annual tax credits for all donors are capped at $5 million, with annual adjustments to prevent exceeding this limit. The credit applies to donations of $100 or more and takes effect January 1, 2026.
