Sen. Dave Rader

Maddy summarySB 423 modifies Oklahoma's medical records access law to clarify and standardize copying fees for patients and others. It sets a 50-cent fee per page for standard medical records copies (excluding x-rays), a $20 base fee for attorneys/insurance requests, and $0.30 per page for digital copies with a $200 cap. The bill eliminates fees for providers to search or retrieve a patient's own records and prohibits charging for faxed copies. It also specifies that mental health/substance abuse records remain governed by separate state law (Title 43A, §1-109).

Maddy summaryHB 2185 requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services, Office of Juvenile Affairs, and local governments (counties/municipalities) to report suspected crimes against children in their care to law enforcement and follow up every 30 days until resolution. It mandates documenting all actions in the child's file when an employee or contractor of these entities is suspected of committing a crime under Oklahoma law (Sections 1111 or 1123 of Title 21). This procedural bill codifies existing accountability measures for child welfare agencies, directly affecting children under state or local custody and the agencies responsible for their safety. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2185 requires Oklahoma child welfare agencies (Department of Human Services, Office of Juvenile Affairs, and local counties/municipalities) to ensure police investigate suspected crimes against children in their care. If an employee or contractor is suspected of committing a crime against a child under their custody, the agency must follow up with law enforcement every 30 days until the case resolves. Agencies must document all actions in the child’s file. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and applies to cases involving crimes under Oklahoma Statutes Sections 1111 or 1123.

Maddy summarySB 572 ends Oklahoma's technology business financing program, which previously provided funding to help local businesses commercialize innovations. The bill requires all remaining program funds and annual royalty payments (from businesses that received funding) to be transferred to the state's General Revenue Fund by November 1, 2025. This affects OCAST (the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology), businesses that had received program funding, and state finances. The program officially ceases upon the bill's effective date, redirecting all unused funds to general state revenue.

Maddy summarySB 572 ends Oklahoma's technology business financing program operated by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) effective November 1, 2025. It requires all remaining program funds and annual payments (like royalties or fees) to be transferred to the State Treasurer for the General Revenue Fund. This directly affects OCAST, which must cease program operations, and businesses that previously received financing or were required to pay royalties under the program. The bill makes no changes to program eligibility or new funding, only terminating the existing program and redirecting its remaining resources.

Maddy summaryHB 1938 requires Oklahoma school districts to conduct annual fitness assessments for students in grades 3 through 12 starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The assessments must measure aerobic capacity, body composition, and muscular strength using age- and gender-specific health standards, with exemptions for students with disabilities. School districts must report anonymized results to state education and health agencies and provide clear summaries to parents, while the State Department of Education and Health must analyze correlations between fitness results and factors like obesity, attendance, academic performance, and school meal programs. The bill also mandates an annual report to the Governor on district compliance and allows for recognition programs for schools showing fitness improvements.

Maddy summaryHB 2702 requires Oklahoma school districts to hire special education administrators (directors and assistant directors) who hold a standard teaching certificate and obtain an "acknowledgment of competency" by July 1, 2025. This acknowledgment requires completing 150 hours of training covering Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) rules and scoring at least 70% on a competency exam. Administrators with existing Special Education Teaching Certificates under Oklahoma law (Sections 6-122.7-9) are exempt from the competency requirement. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and declares an emergency for immediate implementation.

Maddy summarySB 568 requires Oklahoma state agencies and their investment managers to vote shares solely based on financial returns for pension beneficiaries, not social or environmental considerations. It prohibits following proxy adviser recommendations unless those advisers commit in writing to prioritize financial interests. Agencies must annually report all proxy votes - including management and adviser recommendations - to the State Treasurer via a public website. This applies to all state investments held for retirement plans, such as pension funds.

Maddy summaryHB 1938 requires Oklahoma school districts to conduct annual fitness assessments for students in grades 3-12 starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The assessments must measure aerobic capacity, body composition, and muscular strength/endurance using age- and gender-specific health benchmarks, with exemptions for students with disabilities. Districts must report anonymized results to the State Department of Education and provide clear summaries to parents, while the state analyzes correlations between fitness results and factors like obesity, attendance, and academic performance. The bill also mandates annual reports to the Governor on district compliance and allows for recognition programs for schools improving fitness outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 2702 requires Oklahoma school districts to ensure special education administrators (directors and assistant directors of special education programs) hold a valid teaching certificate and obtain an "acknowledgment of competency" by July 1, 2025. This competency requires completing a 150-hour state-approved training program covering Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) rules and scoring at least 70% on a state-administered exam. The requirement does not apply to individuals already holding a Special Education Teaching Certificate under existing Oklahoma law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, aiming to standardize qualifications for special education leadership roles.