SB 1728 creates the Unborn Person Wrongful Death Act. The measure modifies provisions related to awarding damages resulting from wrongful deaths. Parents and grandparents of unborn children may seek damages against a physician if an abortion is performed:

– Without the consent of the pregnant woman,

– In which the pregnant woman is a minor,

– Resulting in mental or physical harm to the pregnant woman, – Without screenings to determine potential risk factors, or

– In violation of other state laws.

Physicians may not waive liability prior to performing the abortion. Recoverable damages may not include the cost of the abortion. Lastly, the measure removes the exclusion of legal abortions and acts committed during diagnostic testing or treatment from deaths which may constitute recoverable damages.

HB 3350 provides a Cost of Living Adjustment to members of the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System, Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System, Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges, Teachers’ Retirement System of Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System as of June 30, 2019, ho continues to receive benefits on or after July 1, 2020. The increases are as follows:

1) 0% if the person has been retired for less than 2 years as of July 1, 2020
2) 2% if the person has been retired for less than 5 years as of July 1, 2020
3) 4% if the person has been retired for 5 or more years as of July 1, 2020

The measure also provides that if the emergency clause is not approved, the effect of the COLA shall come into effect on November 1, 2020, provided, however, that the benefit increases shall be paid for the months of July, August, September and October by each applicable retirement system.

Requires DHS to verify the applicability of the Indian Child Welfare Act within three months of a child, to whom it might apply, being taken into custody. The department is also required to conduct a nationwide relative search within 3 months of a child being taken into custody, for the purpose of identifying a fit and willing relative with whom to place the child.

Requires that every child taken into DHS custody be provided, within 7 days, an assessment of his or her physical, medical, mental health and educational needs and requires the assessment be updated at regular intervals while the child is in the department’s custody.

Subjects virtual charter schools to the same financial reporting requirements as school districts.

HB 2334 creates the Maternal Mortality Review Committee for the purpose of developing and coordinating a system of health services to decrease maternal mortality. Duties of the committee include reviewing cases of pregnancy-related maternal deaths of women in Oklahoma; reviewing the probable cause of death and identifying contributing factors; identifying gaps in available health care services, transportation, and financial resources. The measure directs the State Department of Health to provide staff support for the committee and empowers the Commissioner of Health to subpoena, if necessary, the production of any records that contain evidence that the committee believes to be relevant.

Increases the Board of Juvenile Affairs from 7 to 9 members: 5 of whom appointed by the Governor, 2 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and 2 appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The measure also removes the Board’s term limits, prohibits Board members from voting on issues in which they have direct financial interest, and makes the Executive Director of the Office of Juvenile Affairs an ex officio member. The measure removes the authority of the Board to appoint and determine the compensation of the Executive Director. The measure states that the appointment of the Executive Director by the Governor requires Senate approval. Allows for the Director to be removed by a 2/3s vote of the Legislature.

HB 2480 modifies appointments to the State Board of Corrections by allowing the Governor to appoint five members, two members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House and two members to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The Director of the Department of Corrections is selected and serves at the pleasure of the Governor and may be removed or replaced without cause. The Director may be removed by a 2/3s vote of the Legislature.

HB 2483 replaces the existing Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services with a board comprised of appointees of the Governor, Speaker and President Pro Tempore. The measure also makes the Commissioner of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services an appointee of the Governor. The Commissioner may be removed by a 2/3s vote of the Legislature.

HB 3967 declares that Israel is a prominent trading partner of the State of Oklahoma and that the state should not boycott Israel. The measure prohibits the state from entering into any contract with a company unless the company submits a written certification that the company is not currently engaged in a boycott of goods or services from Israel. The prohibition and written certification requirement is applicable to any contract for the acquisition of goods or services with an aggregate value of more than $100,000.00 and may be waived by the Secretary of State if the secretary determines that compliance is not practicable.

SB 142 prohibits long-term care facility residents from being given an antipsychotic drug that was not already prescribed to the resident prior to admission, except under certain conditions.

SB361 requires the outdoor areas of campuses of public institutions of higher education be deemed public forums for the campus community and prohibits public institutions of higher education from creating “free speech zones” or other designated areas of campus outside of which expressive activities are prohibited.

SB 456 eliminates the existing Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) Board and recreates a 9-member board comprised of appointees of the Governor, Speaker and President Pro Tempore. The measure gives the Governor the authority to appoint the administrator of the OHCA who will serve at the pleasure of the Governor and provides that he or she may also be removed by a 2/3 vote of the legislature.

SB 457 changes the appointment criteria for members of the State Transportation Commission. The commission would be made up of a member from each of eight districts in the state, plus an at-large member. The Governor would be authorized to appoint members from four of the districts as well as the at-large member. The Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate would each be authorized to appoint two members. Each member would serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority. The measure places the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) on the Commission as an ex officio member, replacing the Governor. Members would be prohibited from voting on any issue in which they have a direct financial interest, and would receive an annual salary.

The bill further changes appointment criteria for the Director of ODOT, making the position an appointment of the Governor and serving at the pleasure of the Governor. The Director could also be removed by a 2/3 vote of each chamber of the Legislature.

SB 1823 creates Shepherd’s Law requiring that that practicing midwifery be licensed by the State Department of Health. The act defines midwifery as care provided during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. The act does not apply to Certified Nurse-Midwives, physicians, other licensed health care professionals, student midwives, or natural childbirth educators.

The Department is directed to promulgate rules for licensure, including determining scope of practice, a formulary of prescription drugs midwives may administer, procedures for obtaining informed consent, qualifications, continuing education requirements, penalties, and fees. Applicants must be certified by either the North American Registry of Midwives or the American Midwifery Certification Board. Application fees may not exceed $1,000 and licenses will be valid for three years. The Department is directed to maintain a public list of licensed midwives.

Practicing midwives must provide disclosure to potential clients containing information related to their credentials, malpractice insurance, and plan for emergency or complication, including the selection of a hospital. Midwives must advise medical consultation for women at risk for complicated pregnancy or delivery. Physicians or Certified Nurse-Midwives directing midwives are immune for liability if the midwife fails to comply with the order.

Lastly, the act creates the Advisory Committee on Midwifery, which is directed to advise in the formulation of regulatory rules. The Advisory Committee’s membership will consist of health care providers knowledgeable in midwifery. The Advisory Committee will sunset in 2026.