Sen. Jack Stewart

Maddy summarySB 1380 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid program to verify death records before approving new applications and conduct monthly checks for existing enrollees using Social Security and state vital records. It directly affects all Medicaid applicants and current beneficiaries by mandating these verifications to prevent payments to deceased individuals. If death is confirmed, coverage must be stopped immediately, and any payments for services after death must be recovered. The law also requires cost-saving contracts for verification services and gives beneficiaries 10 business days to respond to eligibility discrepancies.

Maddy summarySB 1283 modifies Oklahoma's probate law to require nonresident executors, administrators, or guardians appointed in the state to appoint a local agent residing in the county where the probate case is filed. This agent must receive legal notices on their behalf, ensuring smoother court proceedings for out-of-state estate administrators. The bill updates outdated language to be gender-neutral and takes effect November 1, 2026. It directly affects nonresident estate representatives handling Oklahoma probate cases, clarifying their requirement to designate a county-resident agent for legal service.

Maddy summarySB 1352 modifies Oklahoma's medical marijuana licensing rules by requiring municipalities to provide specific documentation before blocking license renewals or transfers for dispensaries located too close to schools. It mandates that local governments submit a resolution proving a school was "openly in existence" (with visible signage) before the dispensary opened, plus verified distance measurements using a standardized method. This affects existing medical marijuana businesses seeking renewal or transfer of retail dispensary licenses. The bill aims to prevent automatic renewal of dispensaries near schools without proper municipal review, while requiring certificate of occupancy compliance for facility operations.

Maddy summarySB 1479 prohibits first responders (police, firefighters, EMTs) and scene support workers (tow truck operators, crime scene cleaners, road crews) from sharing details or photos/videos from accident or crime scenes on social media without prior authorization from the investigating agency. It requires employers to notify staff about these rules within 90 days of the law's effective date. Violating the rule would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 or 60 days in jail. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1965 requires anyone filing a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with a county clerk to submit a valid real estate contract, a full property description with price, and a sworn affidavit confirming the filing is in good faith. Property owners who believe a fraudulent MOA is filed against their property can request its removal by submitting a sworn affidavit, prompting the county clerk to notify the filer and require proof within 15 days. If proof isn’t provided, the clerk must remove the MOA. Violating these rules by knowingly filing a fraudulent MOA is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both, and may also trigger civil liability for damages.

Maddy summarySB 1652 requires medical examiners in Oklahoma to conduct standardized investigations for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), unexplained child deaths (SDY), and sudden cardiac deaths (SADS) in young people. It mandates specific steps including autopsies when needed, toxicology testing, review of medical and immunization records, and interviews with caregivers within 48 hours of death. The bill also requires reporting all such cases to the national CDC/NIH SUID and SDY Case Registry and forwarding reports to the State Department of Health. These changes apply directly to medical examiners, healthcare providers, and state health agencies, aiming to improve data collection and understanding of unexplained deaths in infants and children.

Maddy summarySB 1539 requires all Oklahoma employers (including those with one or more employees) to prevent and address workplace bullying by implementing written policies, training staff, and establishing fair complaint processes within 90 days. It defines workplace bullying as severe, pervasive conduct creating a toxic environment (excluding minor annoyances) and prohibits employers from forcing mediation before legal counsel, using nondisclosure agreements for complaints, or taking adverse actions against employees who report bullying. Violations allow employees to file lawsuits within three years for compensatory damages, punitive damages in extreme cases, reinstatement, or public correction of reputational harm, with the at-fault party paying attorney fees. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, directly affecting all Oklahoma workplaces and employees.

Maddy summarySB 1259 requires Oklahoma public airports that own, operate, or lease parking facilities to provide free parking to veterans who were honorably discharged from the U.S. military or Oklahoma National Guard. The bill applies to vehicles driven or occupied by these veterans and defines "public airport" as one open to all without prior permission. It takes immediate effect upon approval, declared an emergency. This policy change directly affects eligible veterans and airport operators by mandating free parking access at designated facilities.

Maddy summarySB 1289 provides a 5% annual salary increase for eligible state employees effective July 1, 2026, based on their salary as of June 30, 2026. It directly affects full-time, part-time, temporary, and limited-term state workers who were employed on June 30, 2026, excluding elected officials, judges, cabinet secretaries, district attorneys, higher education staff, and other specific categories listed in the bill. The increase is prorated for part-time employees based on their work schedule, and employees on leave without pay receive the raise upon returning to work. The bill explicitly excludes certain leadership roles and agencies from the pay adjustment, as detailed in Section 1D of the text.

Maddy summarySB 1347 increases compensation for Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board members, raising the annual salary for the Chair from $24,800 to $80,000 and for regular members from $22,800 to $70,000. The bill also designates board positions as full-time (not part-time or voluntary) and ties pay to attendance, requiring members to attend meetings or risk losing compensation or facing removal for excessive absences. These changes take effect November 1, 2026. The bill directly affects current and future board members by altering their pay structure and attendance expectations.