Req. No. 1334 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 58th Legislature (2021) SENATE BILL 522 By: Taylor AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to medical marijuana; requiri ng Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority t o contract with third-party vendor to provide certain services; directing Authority to determine minimum services; directing third-party vendor to conduct certain functions for applicants; requiring third-party vendor to issue certain credential; pro viding for certain appeal; excluding third-party vendor from certain liability; directing promul gation of rules; providing for codification; and providing an effective date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STA TE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 427.3a of Title 63, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority within the State Department of Health shall contract with one or more third-party vendors to provide the licensing services necessary to carry out the provisions of Section 420 et seq. of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes and the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act. Req. No. 1334 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 B. The Authority shall determine the minimum services to be provided by such third -party vendor and shall establish costs and prices. A third-party vendor shall on behalf of the Authority conduct the statutor ily required background checks and verify eligibility and suitability for any license applicant for a medical marijuana patient license, medical marijuana caregiver license, medical marijuana research license, medical marijuana education facility license, any category of medical marijuana business license, and employees of such entities. C. Upon successful completion by the third -party vendor of the statutorily required background checks and verification of eligibility and suitability for a license applicant or employee, the third-party vendor shall issue a credential or badge to the applicant or employee. The results of background checks and verification shall be provided to the Authority by the third -party vendor. D. In the event that the third -party vendor determines that an applicant, or its em ployee, does not meet the minimum statutory requirements for a license, the applicant or employee shall have no recourse against the third -party vendor but may appeal such adverse determination to the Authority. E. The third-party vendor shall bear no liability for any acts taken in good-faith compliance with the provisions Section 420 et seq. of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes and the Oklahoma Medical Req. No. 1334 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Marijuana and Patient Protection Act, and the rules promulgated by the State Commissioner of Health . F. The State Commissioner of Health may promulgate r ules to implement the provisions of thi s section. SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2021. 58-1-1334 DC 1/20/2021 10:38:46 AM