Oklahoma 2020 Book of Reports

2020 Oklahoma Nurses Association
to anyone who had knowledge of a product defect or who acts with deliberate indifference or
intention to cause harm. Governor Stitt signed this bill into law on May 21, 2020, and it became
effective immediately upon signing.
NURSES' SUCCESS IN 2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
In spite of COVID-19 and the six weeks-long shut-down of the Capitol, the Oklahoma Nurses'
Association experienced an extremely successful legislative session. There were 1400 bills still alive
when the Capitol was shut down due to COVID-19, shortly after the House of Origin deadline in
mid-March. With the loss of a critical phase of the normal legislative session, and the need to focus
on the Pandemic, the Catastrophic Health Emergency, and the related budget crisis, it became
readily apparent that there would not be time to hear a vast majority of live 2020 bills. Only a small
select handful of surviving bills in the House and Senate would be eventually be heard. In contrast,
others would be rewritten to address urgent emerging needs created by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Below are some highlights of the 2020 legislation passed important to the Oklahoma Nurses
Association.
SB1290 – Healthcare Worker Protection Act by Senator Weaver and Representative Roe: Corrected
the upside-down penalty in pre-existing law, increasing the penalty for aggravated assault in the
healthcare workplace, so that Oklahoma healthcare workers who are assaulted while on the job
can be protected. It further requires that warning signs be posted, reading, "Warning: Assaulting
a Medical Professional Who Is Engaged in the Performance of His or Her Official Duties Is a
Serious Crime," and that an annual report of all such assaults be submitted to the Oklahoma State
Department of Health. Signed by Gov. Stitt May 20, 2020. Effective Date: November 1, 2020
SB1423 – Increase Age to Purchase Tobacco by Senator McCortney and Representative Wallace:
Increases the age for tobacco purchases from 18 to 21 to make Oklahoma state law consistent with
federal law, improving health and enforcement efforts. Signed by Governor Stitt on May 19, 2020.
Effective Date May 19, 2020.
SB1823 – Shepherd's Law by Senator Stanley and Rep. Roe: Makes Oklahoma the 35th state
that licenses Midwives. Provides that the Oklahoma Commissioner of Health has oversight over
the profession of Midwifery, and creates an Advisory Committee on Midwifery to assist the
Commissioner in defined responsibilities related to licensure, oversight, discipline, formulary,
routine tests, continuing education, etc. The Health Department (OSDH) will maintain a roster of
all licensed midwives in Oklahoma. Senator Stanley, an educator, and Representative Roe, a nurse
(APRN), responded to the parental request and public outcry following the tragic death of an
infant following a planned home delivery. SB1823, establishes licensure, providing oversight and
accountability while preserving parental choice. It requires Certified Professional Midwives and
Certified Midwives to be licensed pursuant to Oklahoma law, and related OSDH rules. It requires
all midwives, including lay midwives to provide an informed consent document that discloses their
licensure or lack thereof, that discloses whether or not they carry liability insurance, and that sets
forth a plan related to emergencies and complications, allowing the parents to preselect a hospital
in the event that emergency treatment and transportation to a hospital becomes necessary. Signed
by Gov. Stitt on May 18, 2020, Shephard's Law goes into effect on November 1, 2020.
SB1788 – Veterinary Nurse Bill by Sen. Casey and Rep. Kerbs: Sought to allow a Veterinary
Technician to be referred to as a "Registered Veterinary Nurse." However, the title Registered
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