Lawton, OK – As the new year begins, Oklahoma will usher in a series of important legislative changes that will impact various sectors, including voting rights, healthcare, and support for first responders. Starting January 1, 2024, seven new laws will take effect, reflecting a commitment to improving access to services, providing new protections, and enhancing support for public service workers.
Expanded Voting Rights for Former Felons
One of the most significant changes is the passage of House Bill 1629, which will restore voting rights to certain individuals previously convicted of felonies. The law allows those who have received a commutation reducing their sentence to time served, or who have had their felony convictions reclassified to misdemeanors, to register to vote. It also extends voting rights to those who have been granted a pardon and have no outstanding felony sentences.
Mark Faulk, with the People’s Council for Justice Reform, emphasized the importance of this bill in the broader context of criminal justice reform. He noted that this measure is only the beginning of ongoing efforts to address incarceration rates and invest in mental health resources for prevention. “There wasn’t a single vote on either side of the aisle against this bill,” Faulk remarked, expressing hope that the law signals a shift toward more comprehensive reforms.
New Healthcare Laws
In the realm of healthcare, two new bills will address critical issues such as ambulance services and prior authorization requirements for treatments.
House Bill 2872 creates the Out-of-Network Ambulance Service Provider Act, establishing guidelines for paying for ambulance services when the provider operates outside the patient’s insurance network. This bill aims to alleviate confusion and financial strain for individuals who require emergency transportation from out-of-network service providers.
House Bill 3190, also known as the Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act, will require insurance companies to post their prior authorization requirements online. It mandates that licensed medical professionals, rather than insurance company staff, be responsible for determining whether to approve or deny medical treatments. This law is expected to increase transparency and reduce the administrative burden for both patients and healthcare providers.
Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients
Another important development is the passage of Senate Bill 1334, known as Corinne’s Law, which addresses fertility preservation for cancer patients. The law ensures that patients undergoing cancer treatment, which may threaten their fertility, will have the opportunity to preserve their fertility beforehand. Senator Ally Seifried (R-Claremore), who championed the bill, highlighted the emotional and logistical challenges cancer patients face in making such crucial decisions in a limited timeframe. Under the new law, patients will have a window of 10 to 14 days to make these important decisions, helping to preserve their future options.
Changes to State Infrastructure Funding
Senate Bill 1429 will also take effect, shifting the focus of the state’s waterway funding. The bill changes the revolving fund previously designated for the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System (MKARNS) to the Oklahoma Ports Infrastructure Revolving Fund (OPIRF). This reallocation allows funds collected by the Department of Transportation to be used for improving state waterway ports, enhancing Oklahoma’s infrastructure and economic opportunities related to water transport.
Support for First Responders
The new laws also bring much-needed relief to Oklahoma’s first responders. Senate Bill 1457 will expand workers’ compensation benefits to include law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who experience mental injuries or illnesses on the job. Previously, workers’ compensation was only available for physical injuries. Mark Nelson, president of the OKC Fraternal Order of Police, expressed the importance of this change, stating that the emotional toll of daily encounters in public safety roles can have a profound and lasting impact.
Tax Credit and Other Legal Changes
In addition to these key laws, Senate Bill 1401 will make adjustments to the language governing income tax credits in Oklahoma statutes, while Senate Bill 1457 will continue to support and enhance the safety and wellbeing of the state’s public servants.
As these new laws come into effect on January 1, 2024, they reflect Oklahoma’s evolving priorities in areas such as criminal justice, healthcare, infrastructure, and public service support. While some of these changes have already sparked significant discussion, they represent the ongoing work of lawmakers to address the needs and challenges faced by Oklahoma residents in the coming year.
