Rep. Suzanne Schreiber

Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma Senate Bill 2104 updates trust law to clarify court procedures, strengthen beneficiary protections, and modernize dispute resolution. It specifies that trust disputes must be filed in the county where the trustee resides (amending Section 175.23), prevents trustees from using distribution powers to weaken beneficiary rights or reduce their own fiduciary duties (amending Section 175.717), and expands when trustees and beneficiaries can reach binding nonjudicial settlements without court approval (amending Section 1402). The bill directly affects trustees managing trusts, beneficiaries receiving trust assets, and courts handling trust administration cases. These changes aim to streamline trust disputes while ensuring trustees uphold their duties to beneficiaries.

Maddy summaryHB 4298 amends Oklahoma's child care licensing rules to improve oversight and standards for licensed facilities. It requires the Department of Human Services to create specialized advisory committees (for residential care, child care centers, homes, and quality ratings) with specific representation from facility owners, parents, Native American advocates, and service providers. The bill also prohibits children from being left unsupervised with teens under 18, bans soft bedding/toys in infant sleeping areas, and mandates 60 days' electronic notice to licensees before rule changes take effect. These provisions directly affect all licensed child care centers, homes, and residential facilities in Oklahoma, with the law taking effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1851, the Oklahoma Fair Renewal Act, requires businesses selling subscriptions or recurring services to provide clear, upfront disclosures before a consumer agrees to an automatic renewal contract. This includes explaining renewal terms, cancellation policies, and recurring charges in plain language, with notices displayed prominently (e.g., larger font or contrasting color). Businesses must also offer a simple cancellation method - like a direct online link or in-person option - and send a renewal notice 15-45 days in advance, detailing how to cancel. The law applies to most subscription services but excludes regulated utilities or franchise services.

Maddy summaryHB 4202 modifies Oklahoma's workers' compensation medical reimbursement rules. It requires MRI services to be provided by Medicare-compliant or accredited facilities to qualify for reimbursement, and sets reimbursement rates for other services at 150% of Medicare rates for certain evaluations. The bill also caps travel reimbursement for medical appointments at 600 miles round trip and updates the fee schedule to use Medicare rates as a benchmark. These changes directly affect injured workers receiving medical care and healthcare providers seeking reimbursement for services under workers' compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 4203 would permit residential buildings with four or fewer stories (Group R-2, such as apartment buildings) to use a single exit instead of multiple exits, provided they meet specific safety standards. The Oklahoma Universal Building Code Commission must develop guidelines for this exception. It directly affects residential building owners and developers in Oklahoma by modifying exit requirements for certain new construction projects. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1432 removes the temporary "pilot program" designation and the July 1, 2026 sunset date from Oklahoma's alternative teacher certification pathways. This permanent change affects teacher certification providers and candidates who use non-traditional routes to become licensed educators. The bill amends Oklahoma law to make these innovative certification programs permanent, eliminating the requirement for annual reapproval and the expiration date. It ensures providers offering these pathways no longer need to operate under temporary status, streamlining the process for educators seeking certification through alternative routes.

Maddy summaryHB 3606 (correcting the misleading title) amends Oklahoma's Sex Offenders Registration Act to allow specific sex offenders to petition courts for removal of registration requirements. It creates two pathways: (1) for those convicted only of certain minor offenses (Sections 1111.1 or 1114 of Title 21) where the offender was under 4 years older than a 14-17-year-old victim, and (2) for those with permanent medical/cognitive impairments preventing compliance. Petitions require court approval, district attorney notice, and must confirm no conflict with federal law. If approved, the Department of Corrections removes the person from the public sex offender registry, though other criminal records remain accessible as public records.

Maddy summaryHB 4201 sets a new requirement for licensed child care facilities in Oklahoma: two-, three-, four-, and five-star centers must have one full-time master teacher for every 60 children enrolled. This directly affects higher-rated child care facilities seeking to maintain or achieve those star ratings. The bill codifies this teacher-to-child ratio in state law (Title 10, Section 404.4) and includes an emergency clause to make it effective immediately upon approval. The policy change aims to standardize staffing levels for quality child care across these facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 4199 establishes a three-year Tri-Share Workforce Pilot Program to help working parents afford child care for children aged birth to 8. It requires participating employers, the state, and parents to share costs equally - state matching employer contributions up to one-third of total costs, with parents covering the remainder - targeting employees earning 150-250% of the federal poverty level who don’t qualify for existing child care subsidies. The program will test in six Oklahoma counties (two urban, four rural) starting July 2026, with the Department of Human Services developing guidelines, providing technical assistance, and reporting annually on participation and impacts. If successful, it could lead to a statewide program, but the pilot itself is limited to the specified counties and eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 4198 creates Oklahoma's "Protection from Workplace Violence Act," allowing employers to seek court-issued protective orders against former employees who harass or stalk current employees. It defines workplace harassment and stalking broadly (including repeated contact, following, or electronic communications) and sets clear procedures for filing petitions, obtaining emergency ex parte orders, and scheduling hearings. The law requires specific information in protective orders, limits hearing timelines, and establishes statewide validity for these orders. It directly affects employers (in businesses with over two employees) and current employees seeking protection from former employees’ threatening behavior.