An Act
ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 2036 By: Boatman of the House
and
Haste of the Senate
An Act relating to mental health workers; creating a
revolving fund for the Oklahom a State University
Medical Authority; creating a pilot program designed
by the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority ;
providing purpose of pilot program; requiring
preparation of certain report; providing for
codification; providing an effective date ; and
declaring an emergency.
SUBJECT: Mental health workers
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3278.1 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follo ws:
A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving
fund for the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority to be
designated the "Oklahoma State University Medical Author ity
Behavioral Health Workforce Development Fund". The fund shall be a
continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall
consist of appropriated revenues and private endowments. All monies
accruing to the credit of said fund are hereby a ppropriated and may
be budgeted and expended by the Oklahoma State Uni versity Medical
Authority for the purpose of designing and implementing a pilot
program at behavioral health facilities, the purpose of which is to
provide for behavioral health workforce development and access to
behavioral health professionals as provided by law. The purpose of
the pilot program includes, but is not limited to, bed conversion
and new beds; renovations at behavioral health facilities to
accommodate new licensed acute or residential treatment beds; ENR. H. B. NO. 2036 Page 2
reallocation of beds from adult acute to child/adolescent acute
beds; relocation assistance for licensed behavioral health staff
currently living out of state; upskilling existing behavioral health
workforce; adding new psychiatric residents; and creating a
behavioral health trauma fund for intensive home and community-based
services. Expenditures from the fund sha ll be made upon warrants
issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by
law with the Director of the Office of Management and Ent erprise
Services for approval and p ayment.
B. The Oklahoma State University Medical Authority shall
prepare a report for the Legislature on the results of the first
year of funding, including the number of professionals retained and
recruited, and the expected benefits of the program. The report
shall be delivered to relevant health care committee and
appropriations subcommittee chairs following the first full year of
implementation.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2023.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, hea lth or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof thi s act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage a nd approval.
ENR. H. B. NO. 2036 Page 3
Passed the House of Representatives the 13th day of March, 2023.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
Passed the Senate the 20th day of April, 2023.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _____ ____
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________