The Latest in Oklahoma: May 20, 2024
A&A Advocates
Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 3190 into law on Wednesday, bringing significant changes to the prior authorization process. New requirements include: prior authorization procedures must be published on websites available to patients and providers, those with chronic conditions must be notified no less than 60 days prior to changes that will affect them, appeals will be reviewed by providers of the same or similar specialties, and health insurers must respond to urgent requests within 72 hours and seven days for nonurgent requests. The law will come into effect as of January 1, 2025, once insurance plans start the new coverage period.
Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ added the seventh major financial institution—global bank Barclays–-to the list of companies restricted from doing business with state pension funds, state agencies, cities and other entities under the Oklahoma Energy Discrimination Elimination Act. The list revision came just weeks after the bank led the sale of $230 million in bonds for the University of Oklahoma.
Hundreds of Hispanic Okahomans filled the south plaza of the Oklahoma state Capitol on Wednesday to protest against House Bill 4156, a bill signed by the governor last month that creates a new criminal offense of “impermissible occupation” and permits local police to arrest those without legal authorization to enter the country. Criticism comes from a few outspoken groups, including the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police and Metro Law Enforcement Agency Leaders, as well as the Greater Oklahoma City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The fourth installment of the state’s budget summit was held Wednesday with a twist, following a request from the governor that no top legislative leaders or the governor should attend in order to “make space for the Appropriations chairs from each chamber to have a more robust conversation in a public setting without the pressure of the principals in the room.” While the governor did not attend and the speaker of the House appeared for a brief moment, other legislative leaders still decided to attend the summit.
What We’re Watching
Governors Kevin Stitt (R-OK), Josh Shapiro (D-PA), and Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) sent a letter to the Governor of Turks & Caicos, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, calling for the prompt release of three Americans held in her territory on Wednesday. Read the full letter here.
Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, on Monday, won unanimous House passage of HB 3158, which helps cosmetology and barber schools in prisons continue to educate and train students by modifying the current school application requirements.
“As our state continues to grapple with the challenges of mental health care, House Bill 3449 represents a significant step forward. By establishing this fund, we are paving the way for innovative pilot programs that will expand access to mental health services and support the growth of our mental health workforce.” Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, praises HB 3449—allowing the implementation of a pilot program at behavioral health facilities aimed at supporting behavioral health workforce development and facilitating access to behavioral health professionals—as it is signed into law.