Healthcare

died · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 1836: Health care providers; requiring specified mental health screenings. Effective date.

SB 1836 requires physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice nurses, and osteopathic physicians to conduct annual mental health screenings using a standardized tool during routine primary care visits. The State Board of Medical Licensure will develop the screening method and educational materials, collaborating with other health boards. This applies only to providers who perform direct patient care, excluding those in non-clinical roles. The law becomes effective November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual mental health screenings for providers, enhancing early detection and access to mental health services per bill's requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 5, 2026

SB 1473: Guardianships; modifying definitions; requiring guardians to be present for certain assessment. Effective date..

SB 1473 updates Oklahoma's guardianship definitions to clarify when a person with mental illness is considered "gravely disabled" and unable to meet basic needs like food, clothing, or shelter. It adds specific criteria guardians must meet to request authorities (like police or county officials) to retrieve a gravely disabled ward from an unsheltered environment and transport them to inpatient treatment. The bill changes "inpatient mental health treatment" to require 48 hours of continuous care (previously 24 hours) and explicitly states that mental illness evaluation or treatment does not automatically mean a person is incompetent. These changes apply to guardians, courts, and mental health facilities managing cases involving incapacitated individuals. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies guardianship criteria to enable timely inpatient mental health treatment for gravely disabled individuals, supporting access to care through defined transport protocols and 48-hour continuous care requirement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 1646: Health insurance; requiring coverage of medically necessary treatment of mental health and substance use disorders; prohibiting certain limitations; establishing certain utilization review requirements. Effective date.

SB 1646 requires Oklahoma health insurance plans to cover medically necessary mental health and substance use disorder treatment without arbitrary limits, affecting all residents with such coverage. It mandates coverage for "core treatments" aligned with clinical standards (like those from psychiatric associations), prohibits limiting care to short-term/acute settings, and bans insurers from rescinding authorizations after services are provided. The bill also requires insurers to follow specific rules for reviewing treatment requests and ensures out-of-network care access when in-network options aren't available. This applies to all health benefit plans covering hospital or medical services in Oklahoma, aiming to align mental health coverage with physical health benefits. The bill is pending in committee as of February 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates comprehensive coverage for mental health/substance use treatment without arbitrary limits, expanding patient access and protecting rights per clinical standards.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates comprehensive mental health/substance use disorder coverage without arbitrary limits, expanding workers' benefits and protecting access to necessary treatment as part of employment standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 202: Medicaid; modifying eligibility requirements for self-funded or self-insured health care plan to participate in certain premium assistance program. Emergency.

SB 202 modifies eligibility rules for self-funded health plans to participate in Oklahoma's Medicaid premium assistance program. It allows small businesses and public entities using self-funded health plans to qualify if the plan was already used by an employer in the program as of May 1, 2024, or if it’s owned by a local government public trust. This change specifically affects small employers (under 250 employees) and public-sector health plans seeking to access state premium assistance. The bill aims to expand coverage options for low-income workers by making more health plan types eligible for state-funded premium support.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid premium assistance eligibility for small businesses/public entities, increasing access to healthcare coverage under state program.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · Oklahoma · House Mar 2, 2026

HB 2786: Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; making an appropriation; source; amount; purpose; emergency.

This bill authorizes an emergency appropriation of approximately $19.66 million to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The funds must come from the Rate Preservation Fund in the State Treasury and are designated specifically for Title XIX services, which are Medicaid-funded mental health and substance abuse programs. The legislation includes an emergency provision, allowing the funding to take effect immediately upon the governor's approval without waiting for the regular budget cycle. This action provides direct financial resources to the state agency responsible for administering mental health and substance abuse services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides emergency appropriation of $19.66M to fund mental health and substance abuse services through Medicaid, directly increasing government spending on essential public programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides emergency funding of $19.66M for mental health and substance abuse services under Medicaid, directly advancing healthcare access and program strength.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Oklahoma · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 1484: Schools; creating Rain's Law; requiring certain instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness; effective date; emergency.

HB 1484, known as "Rain's Law," requires Oklahoma public schools to provide annual, research-based instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students in grades 6 through 12. The bill mandates that this instruction cover suicide prevention, fentanyl abuse and addiction prevention, local resource access, and health education about fentanyl use. Schools must incorporate this content into health classes, and the State Department of Education will develop curriculum standards and resources to support implementation. The law also designates a week for "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week" to align with National Red Ribbon Week, with age-appropriate instruction determined by each school district.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates fentanyl education in health curriculum for grades 6-12, enhancing student health education programs per bill requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school-based public health education on fentanyl abuse and suicide prevention, directly advancing public health programs under healthcare topic.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1953: Health insurance; creating the Employer Health Plan Transparency Act; prohibiting certain health plan from entering certain contracts; prohibiting certain contract provisions; requiring issuer to adhere to certain privacy regulations; establishing civil penalties. Effective date.

SB 1953, the Employer Health Plan Transparency Act, requires group health plans and public employee health plans in Oklahoma to ensure contracts with health insurers and service providers include full access to medical records, billing details, and payment documentation. It prohibits contracts from limiting information sharing about patient care or costs, mandates HIPAA-compliant disclosures, and requires itemized cost breakdowns for covered services. This directly affects employers offering health benefits, insurers, and healthcare providers by standardizing data access and transparency in coverage arrangements. The law aims to improve clarity for plan participants regarding medical expenses and service coverage under Oklahoma's health insurance framework.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires transparency in health insurance contracts, mandates itemized costs and full access to medical records, enhancing patient access and rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

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died · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 1192: Alcohol and drug substance abuse counseling; increasing certain alcohol and drug assessment and evaluation fee. Effective date.

SB 1192 increases the fee for alcohol and drug assessments from $160 to $200 per person. It also raises certification application fees for assessment personnel ($100-$200 initially, $25-$150 for renewal). The bill directs $15 of each assessment fee to the Department of Public Safety, with 90% (about $13.50) going to the Community-based Substance Abuse Revolving Fund and 10% ($1.50) covering administrative costs. This affects individuals required to undergo assessments (e.g., for driver license issues) and certified assessment professionals. The changes take effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases assessment fees to fund substance abuse programs via dedicated revenue stream, directly advancing public service funding through fee-based taxation.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill directs 90% of assessment fees to community substance abuse revolving fund, funding rehabilitation programs that reduce recidivism, a core criminal justice reform goal.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases fees to fund substance abuse counseling services via Community-based Substance Abuse Revolving Fund, supporting mental health care access.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 1305: Medical marijuana; allowing approval of third-party vendor; requiring approval or denial within time frame; providing vendor requirements. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1305 allows Oklahoma's Medical Marijuana Authority to contract with third-party vendors to handle employee credentialing for medical marijuana businesses. The bill requires the Authority to approve or deny vendor applications within 30 days and sets strict vendor requirements, including IRS 501(c)(3) status and training plans covering state laws, patient privacy, and safe handling. Employees must complete annual training (minimum one hour per topic) on these subjects to maintain credentials. The law affects all medical marijuana business employees and businesses requiring credentialing, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates medical marijuana vendor training to protect patient privacy and ensure safe access, advancing healthcare service standards.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates annual safety training on handling, privacy, and state laws for medical marijuana employees, directly improving workplace safety standards within the industry.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 1638: Governmental Tort Claims Act; modifying definition; authorizing award of certain costs and fees. Effective date.

SB 1638 amends Oklahoma's Governmental Tort Claims Act to clarify definitions of "charitable health care provider" and "community health care provider," specifically expanding protections for entities serving indigent patients. It authorizes courts to award claimants' legal costs and fees when they successfully sue state or local government entities for negligence. This change directly affects individuals and organizations filing tort claims against government bodies, particularly health care providers who offer free or low-cost services to medically indigent residents. The bill modifies Sections 152 and 154 of the act to streamline these claims while ensuring claimants who win can recover their litigation expenses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands legal protections for healthcare providers serving indigent patients and enables claimants to recover legal costs in negligence cases against government entities, strengthening patient access to care.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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