Legislative accomplishments
Drawing on our original research and extensive knowledge of Oklahoma’s mental health needs, Healthy Minds works with policymakers to champion behavioral health legislation that strengthens systems of care for Oklahomans.
2024 legislative session
Funding new psychiatry residency positions
The Legislature appropriated over $5 million to behavioral health workforce development funds at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University to provide initial funding for eight new psychiatry residency positions, a 30% increase and an important step toward remedying the state's critical shortage of psychiatrists.
Making Oklahoma competitive for social workers
HB 3015 by Rep. Jeff Boatman and Sen. Jessica Garvin | Full text
To be a licensed clinical social worker in Oklahoma, candidates had to complete 4,000 hours of supervision – about 1,000 more than national averages and requirements in neighboring states. HB 3015 lowers the requirement to 3,000 hours, allowing social workers to join the workforce faster and making Oklahoma a more attractive place to train and practice.
Collecting a clearer picture of Oklahoma's workforce
HB 3330 by Rep. Cynthia Roe and Sen. Paul Rosino | Full text
HB 3330 will streamline data collection for four boards that license behavioral health workers, painting a clearer and more complete picture of the state’s workforce over time. Under HB 3330, the boards will ask licensees a standard set of questions, including demographic details and information about their training and education, providing insight into the strength of Oklahoma's behavioral health workforce.
2023 legislative session
Accuracy in insurance network directories
SB 442 by Sen. John Michael Montgomery and Rep. Chris Sneed | Full text
SB 442 takes on the issue of “ghost networks” and aims to make it easier for Oklahomans to find in-network mental health care by requiring insurance companies to update their provider directories every 60 days. The bill also requires insurers to remove providers from plan directories if they provider hasn’t submitted a claim to the plan in a year.
Ensuring timely access to care
SB 254 by Sen. Jessica Garvin and Rep. Jeff Boatman | Full text
SB 254 requires commercial insurance companies to arrange behavioral health care for plan members if they can’t find timely care on their own. It also caps costs for patients if the insurer makes arrangements for the patient to see an out-of-network provider.
Career pathways for mental health clinicians
Supporting integrated primary care
SB 444 by Sen. John Michael Montgomery and Rep. Nicole Miller | Full text
SB 444 activates medical billing codes that allow primary care doctors, psychiatrists, and mental health providers to be reimbursed when they collaborate to treat patients in what’s called the Collaborative Care model. In this model, psychiatrists can support primary care doctors and consult on cases, and other mental health providers can support both positions while often also providing therapy down the hall.
2022 legislative session
Preventing student suicide
HB 4106 by Rep. Mark Vancuren and Sen. Dewayne Pemberton | Full text
HB 4106 ensures every school in Oklahoma has a protocol for responding to students in suicidal and mental health crises, establishing partnerships between schools and community behavioral health care providers. It took effect July 1, 2022, and is being implemented statewide.
Strengthening parity enforcement
SB 1413 by Sen. John Michael Montgomery and Rep. Chris Sneed | Full text
SB 1413 strengthens Oklahoma’s ability to enforce parity in insurance coverage between mental and physical health care. The law, which took effect Nov. 1, 2022, aligns state parity reporting requirements for insurance companies with federal requirements, making compliance easier for insurers and encouraging more transparent and useful reporting.
2021 legislative session
Establishing telehealth parity
SB 674 by Sen. Greg McCortney and Rep. Marcus McEntire | Full text
SB 674 requires that health care providers are reimbursed at the same rates for similar services they deliver via telehealth as they would for services they would provide during an in-person visit.
Gathering data on students' mental health needs
HB 1103 by Rep. Mark Vancuren and Sen. John Haste | Full text
HB 1103 greatly expanded the use of the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment, a survey given to students at the 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grade levels. About half of schools were already using it, but now all schools deliver the survey to help schools and communities better understand and respond to students’ needs.
