Maddy summarySB 870, the Accountability, Transparency, and Protection for Exploited Youth Act, requires staff, contractors, and volunteers in Oklahoma juvenile facilities (including state-run, county, and private group homes) to immediately report any suspected sexual misconduct or coercive relationships involving juveniles to both their supervisor and the newly created Independent Oversight Committee (IOC). The bill establishes the IOC to independently investigate such reports, separate from facility internal reviews, and mandates that facilities provide annual staff training on prevention and reporting. Failure to report can result in a felony charge (up to 2 years in prison and $5,000 fine), while negligent facilities or contractors could face civil liability and fines of up to $50,000 per victim. The law also amends confidentiality rules to allow certain authorized disclosures related to these investigations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1808, now law in Oklahoma, reforms health insurance prior authorization and step-therapy rules to improve patient access to medications. It requires insurers to grant exceptions to step-therapy protocols (where patients must try cheaper drugs first) if a medication is contraindicated, ineffective based on medical history, or causes harm - covering specific scenarios like prior adverse reactions or stability on a current treatment. The bill mandates insurers respond to urgent prior authorization requests within 24 hours and non-urgent requests within 2 business days, with requests deemed approved if deadlines are missed. It also ensures continuity of coverage for stable treatments when switching plans (90-day protection) and requires insurers to cover at least one readily available asthma controller medication per class without prior authorization.
Maddy summarySB 59 exempts certain nonprofit organizations from paying sales tax when purchasing clothing or supplies for students in need. This applies specifically to organizations providing these items directly to students, such as school-based aid programs or community initiatives supporting vulnerable youth. To qualify, organizations must submit required documentation to claim the exemption. The bill amends Oklahoma's sales tax code to add this specific exemption, effective May 29, 2025, after becoming law without the Governor's signature.
Maddy summaryHB 1808 limits insurers' use of step-therapy protocols by preventing multiple failed attempts on the same medication and requiring exceptions for medical reasons (e.g., contraindications, prior adverse reactions, or treatment stability). It mandates strict response timelines for prior authorizations: 24 hours for urgent requests and 2 business days for non-urgent requests, with automatic approval if deadlines are missed. The law also requires insurers to cover at least one asthma controller medication per class without prior authorization and extends prior authorization approval validity to the full treatment duration or one year. These changes directly affect Oklahoma patients, doctors, and insurers managing prescription drug coverage.
Maddy summarySB 59 exempts certain organizations from paying sales tax when providing clothing or supplies to specific students. The bill directly affects qualifying nonprofits or community groups that distribute these items to students in need, such as those from low-income households. It creates a new sales tax exemption for these transactions, reducing costs for the organizations. The law became effective without the Governor's signature on May 29, 2025.
Maddy summarySB 870, the Accountability, Transparency, and Protection for Exploited Youth Act, requires staff, volunteers, and contractors in Oklahoma juvenile facilities (state-run, county, or contracted) to immediately report suspected sexual misconduct or exploitation involving juveniles to both their supervisor and a new Independent Oversight Committee (IOC). Failure to report is a felony punishable by up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. The bill establishes the IOC to independently investigate all such reports - separate from facility internal reviews - with subpoena power and authority to collaborate with law enforcement. It also creates civil liability for individuals who fail to report and for the Office of Juvenile Affairs or contracted facilities found negligent in preventing or responding to abuse, with potential fines of up to $50,000 per victim. Additionally, the bill mandates annual staff training on identifying and reporting abuse and requires the IOC to submit annual reports to the legislature.
Maddy summaryHB 1863 requires Oklahoma counties to form multidisciplinary child abuse teams (including police, medical staff, and child welfare workers) to handle cases of child sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect. These teams must create joint investigation protocols to minimize trauma for child victims, use a secure database for case reviews, and eliminate duplicative efforts across agencies. The bill increases penalties for confidentiality breaches from $500 to $5,000 fines and mandates annual reviews of teams by the Commission on Children and Youth. It directly affects district attorneys' offices, child protective services, and the Commission on Children and Youth. The law standardizes procedures for investigating and reviewing child abuse cases statewide.
Maddy summaryHB 1863 amends Oklahoma's Children's Code to require each county (or group of contiguous counties) to establish multidisciplinary child abuse teams led by district attorneys. These teams - comprising police, medical staff, mental health professionals, and child welfare workers - must develop joint investigation protocols to reduce trauma for child victims, eliminate duplicate efforts, and use a secure database for case reviews. The Commission on Children and Youth gains authority to create rules, conduct annual reviews of teams, and remove ineffective teams, while also increasing fines for unauthorized disclosure of child abuse records from $500 to $5,000. The law, enacted without gubernatorial signature on May 25, 2025, directly affects county child welfare systems, law enforcement, and the Commission on Children and Youth.
Maddy summarySB 434 increases the maximum combined contribution rate for Oklahoma county employees' retirement systems from 18.5% to 22% of an employee's monthly compensation. This change directly affects county employees participating in retirement funds, allowing employers and employees to collectively contribute up to 22% of pay toward their retirement savings. The bill amends existing law to set this new 22% cap, effective July 1, 2025, and allows counties to adjust employer/employee contribution splits as long as the total remains at 22%. The policy change simplifies retirement funding parameters without altering benefit calculations.
Maddy summarySB 434 increases the maximum combined contribution rate for Oklahoma county employees' retirement systems from 18.5% to 22% of each member's monthly compensation, effective July 1, 2025. It allows counties to make a one-time lump sum payment to cover the difference for contributions made between July 2021 and June 2022 if the total was below 18.5%. The bill directly affects county employees and their retirement funds, requiring counties to adjust annual funding to meet the new rate. This change applies to all Oklahoma counties operating retirement systems for their employees.