Oklahoma 2023 2023 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB597 Introduced / Bill

Filed 01/17/2023

                     
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	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 59th Legislature (2023) 
 
SENATE BILL 597 	By: Newhouse 
 
 
 
 
 
AS INTRODUCED 
 
An Act relating to the State Board of Medical 
Licensure and Supervision; amending 59 O.S. 2021, 
Section 481, which relates to membership of the 
Board; allowing graduates of certain foreign medical 
schools to serve on the Boar d; allowing retired 
physicians to serve on the Board under c ertain 
condition; amending 59 O.S. 2021, Section 482 , which 
relates to appointment to the Board; limiting certain 
restriction on appointment; amending 59 O.S. 2021, 
Section 509.1, which relates to disciplinary actions; 
making letters of concern privileged; requiring Board 
to keep certain information confidenti al and 
privileged; permitting information to be off ered in 
certain proceedings; providing certain exclusions 
from specified law and proceedings; authorizing 
certain provision to of information under specified 
conditions; amending 59 O.S. 2021, Section 503. 2, 
which relates to administrative remedies for lic ensee 
violations; specifying applicability of remedies; 
amending 59 O.S. 2021, Section 536.8 , which relates 
to Registered Electrologist s; eliminating certain 
requirements for licensees; amending 59 O.S. 2021, 
Sections 2030 and 3203, which relate to duties of the 
Board; excluding social security number from certain 
information sharing requirements; establishing 
Anesthesiologist Assistants Advisory Committee ; 
providing for appointment of members , expiration of 
terms, and filling of vacancies ; prohibiting 
compensation; stating powers and duties; amending 59 
O.S. 2021, Section 4000.1, as amended by Section 1, 
Chapter 279, O.S.L. 2022 (59 O.S. Su pp. 2022, Section 
4000.1), which relates to grounds for denial of a 
license or certification to practice an occup ation; 
modifying applicability of section; providing for 
codification; and providing an effective date .   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	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 
  
 
 
 
 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: 
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     59 O.S. 2021, Section 481, is 
amended to read as follows: 
Section 481. A. A State Board of Medical Licensure and 
Supervision hereinafter referred to as the “Board”, is hereby re-
created, to continue until July 1, 2024, in accordance with the 
provisions of the Oklahoma Sunset Law.  The Board shall be composed 
of seven (7) allopathic physicians licensed to practice medicine in 
this state and represent the public and four (4) lay members. 
B. The physician members of the Board shall be graduates of 
legally chartered medical schools recognized by the O klahoma State 
Regents for Higher Education or the Liaison Council on Medical 
Education or foreign medical schools recognized by the State Board 
of Medical Licensure and Supervision .  The physician members shall 
have: 
1.  Be currently licensed physicians wh o have actively practiced 
as licensed physicians continuously in this state for the three (3) 
years immediately preceding their appoin tment to the Board; or 
2.  Be retired physicians; provided, that such physicians must 
demonstrate satisfactorily to the Bo ard that since retirement they 
have remained in compliance with, and are currently in compliance 
with, continuing medical education requirements of the Board .   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	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 
  
C. All members of the Board shall be resid ents of this state 
and shall be appointed by the Gover nor as provided for in Section 
482 of this title.  All present members of the Board shall co ntinue 
to serve for the remainder of their current terms. 
SECTION 2.     AMENDATORY     59 O.S. 2021, Section 482, is 
amended to read as follows: 
Section 482. Physician members of the State Board of Medical 
Licensure and Supervision shall be appointed for terms of seven (7) 
years.  The lay members of the Board shall serve terms coterminous 
with that of the Governor and until a qualifi ed successor has been 
duly appointed and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.  No 
member shall be appointed to serve more than two complete 
consecutive terms.  Each physician member shall hold office until 
the expiration of the term for which appoi nted or until a qualified 
successor has been duly appointed.  An appointment shall be made by 
the Governor within ninety (90) days after the expiration of the 
term of any member or the occurrence of a vacancy on the Board due 
to resignation, death, or any cause resulting in an unexpired term.  
The appointment of allopathic physicians shall be made from a list 
of three names submitted to the Governor by the Oklahoma State 
Medical Association.  The Association may submi t names of members or 
nonmembers of the Association.  No member of the Board shall be a 
stockholder in or full-time salaried or full -time geographic member 
of the faculty or board of trustees of any medical school.   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 4  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 
  
SECTION 3.     AMENDATORY    59 O.S. 2021, Section 509.1, is 
amended to read as follows: 
Section 509.1. A.  RANGE OF ACTIONS:  The State Board of 
Medical Licensure and Supervision may impose disciplinary actions in 
accordance with the severity of violation of the Oklahoma Allo pathic 
Medical and Surgical Licensure and Superv ision Act.  Disciplinary 
actions may include, but are not limited to the following: 
1.  Revocation of the medical license with or without the right 
to reapply; 
2.  Suspension of the medical license; 
3.  Probation; 
4.  Stipulations, limitations, restriction s, and conditions 
relating to practice; 
5.  Censure, including specific redress, if appropri ate; 
6.  Reprimand; 
7.  A period of free public or charity service; 
8.  Satisfactory completion of an educational, t raining, and/or 
treatment program or programs; a nd 
9.  Administrative fines of up to Five Thousand Dollars 
($5,000.00) per violation. 
Provided, as a condition of disciplinary action sanctions, the Board 
may impose as a condition of any disciplinary action, the payment of 
costs expended by the Board for any legal fees and costs and 
probation and monitoring fees including, but not limited to, st aff   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 5  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 
  
time, salary and travel expense, witness fees and attorney fees.  
The Board may take such actions singly or in c ombination as the 
nature of the violation requir es. 
B. LETTER OF CONCERN:  The Board may authorize the secretary to 
issue a confidential and privileged letter of concern to a licensee 
when evidence does not warrant formal proceedings, but the secretary 
has noted indications of possible errant conduct that co uld lead to 
serious consequences and formal action.  The letter of concern may 
contain, at the secretary’s discretion, clarifying information from 
the licensee. 
C.  EXAMINATION/EVALUATION:  The Board ma y, upon reasonable 
cause, require professional compete ncy, physical, mental, or 
chemical dependency examinations of any licensee, including 
withdrawal and laboratory examination of body fluids. 
D.  DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST LICENSEES: 
1.  The Board shall promulgate rules describing acts of 
unprofessional or unethical conduct by physicians pursuant to the 
Oklahoma Allopathic Medical and Surgi cal Licensure and Supervision 
Act; and 
2.  Grounds for Action:  The Board may take disciplinary action 
for unprofessional or unethical conduct as deemed appropriate based 
upon the merits of each case and as set out by rule.  The Board 
shall not revoke the license of a person otherwise qualified to 
practice allopathic medicine within the meaning of the Oklahoma   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 6  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 
  
Allopathic Medical and Surgical Licensure and Supervision Act s olely 
because the person’s practice or a therapy is experimental or 
nontraditional. 
Reports of all disciplinary action provided for in this section 
will be available to the public upon request.  Investi gative files 
shall remain confidential and privileged. The Board, its employees, 
or other agents of the Board shall keep confidential and p rivileged 
all information that initiated, was obtaine d during, or is related 
to an investigation into possible viola tions of any and all acts 
governing any and all profes sional licensees under the l egislative 
jurisdiction of the State Board of Medical Lice nsure and 
Supervision.  However, such information may be offered by the state 
in administrative proceedings before t he Board and if admitted the 
information then becomes a public record.  Unless adm itted into 
administrative proceedings, the information sha ll not be deemed to 
be a record as that term is defined in the Oklahoma Open Records 
Act, nor shall the information be subject to subpoena or discovery 
in any civil or criminal proceedings, except that the Board may give 
such information to law enforcement and other state agencies as 
necessary and appropriate in the discharge of the duties of that 
agency and only under circumstances that ensure against unauthorized 
access to the information. 
E.  SURRENDER IN LIEU O F PROSECUTION:   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 7  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 
  
1.  The Board may accept a s urrender of license from a licensee 
who has engaged in unprofessional conduct in lieu of Board staff 
prosecuting a pending disciplinary action or filing formal 
disciplinary proceedings only as provided in this sec tion.  To 
effect such a surrender, the lice nsee must submit a sworn statement 
to the Board: 
a. expressing the licensee ’s desire to surrender the 
license, 
b. acknowledging that the surrender is freely and 
voluntarily made, that the licensee has not been 
subjected to coercion or duress, and that the licensee 
is fully aware of the consequences of the license 
surrender, 
c. stating that the licensee is the subject of an 
investigation or proceeding by the Board or a law 
enforcement or other regulatory agency invo lving 
allegations which, if proven, would c onstitute grounds 
for disciplinary action by the Board, and 
d. specifically admitting to and describing the 
misconduct. 
2.  The sworn written statement must be submitted with the 
licensee’s wallet card and wall ce rtificate.  The Secretary or 
Executive Director of the Board may accept the sworn statement, 
wallet card and wall certificate from a licensee pending formal   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 8  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 
  
acceptance by the Board. The issuance of a complaint an d citation 
by the Board shall not be necess ary for the Board to accept a 
surrender under this subsection.  A surrender under this subsection 
shall be considered disciplinary action by the Board in all c ases, 
even in cases where surrender occurs prior to th e issuance of a 
formal complaint and citati on, and shall be reported as disciplinary 
action by the Board to the public and any other entity to whom the 
Board regularly reports disciplinary actions. 
3.  As a condition to acceptance of the surrender, the Boa rd may 
require the licensee to pay the cost s expended by the Board for any 
legal fees and costs and any investigation, probation and monitoring 
fees including, but not limited to, staff time, salary and travel 
expense, witness fees and attorney fees. 
4.  The licensee whose surrender in lieu of pros ecution is 
accepted by the Board shall be i neligible to reapply for 
reinstatement of his or her license for at least one (1) year from 
the date of the accepted surrender. 
F.  ALL LICENSED PROFESSIONALS:  All disci plinary actions 
defined in this section are applicable to any and all professional 
licensees under the legislative jurisdiction of the State Board of 
Medical Licensure and Supervision. 
SECTION 4.     AMENDATORY     59 O.S. 2021, Section 5 03.2, is 
amended to read as follows:   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 9  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 
  
Section 503.2. A.  The State Board of Medical Licensure and 
Supervision may promulgate rules to creat e administrative remedies 
for licensee violations of statutory or regulatory prescribed 
unprofessional conduct. 
B.  The Board is authorized to prescribe by rule administrative 
remedies, disciplinary actions and admini strative procedures to 
provide remedies and disciplinary actions for licensee violations of 
statutory or regulatory prescribed unprofessional conduct, to 
include fines up to the limits otherwise prescribed by statute or 
rule. 
C.  Any such administrative ac tion rules promulgated by the 
Board shall provide procedure: 
1.  For the licensee to contest or disput e any administrative 
action; 
2.  For procedures for re solution of any such contest or 
dispute; and 
3.  For appropriate protection of private information c onsistent 
with state and federal law. 
D.  ALL LICENSED PROFESSIONALS:  All administrative remedies 
defined in this section are applicable to any and all pro fessional 
licensees under the legislative jurisdiction of the State Board of 
Medical Licensure and S upervision. 
SECTION 5.     AMENDATORY     59 O.S. 2021, Section 536.8, is 
amended to read as follows:   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 10  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 
  
Section 536.8. A. Every person who is licensed pursuant to the 
provisions of the Registered Electrologist Act and who is licensed 
to practice electrolysis in this state shall register the license 
with the county clerk of the county in w hich said person has legal 
residence.  The county clerk to whom such license is presented shall 
register the name and address of the person designated in the 
license, together with the date and the number inscribed thereon, 
which record shall be open to the public, and shall file with the 
Board annually, during the month of February, a notice of the record 
so made. 
B.  Every person who is licensed pursuant to t he provisions of 
the Registered Electrologist Act to practice electrolysi s in this 
state shall keep said license displayed in his place of business as 
long as he is engaged in t he practice of electrolysis.  The receipt 
for the annual renewal of license sha ll be kept at such person ’s 
place of business and shall be shown to any p erson requesting to see 
the same.  The licensee shall keep the Bo ard informed of his current 
address.  A license issued by the Board is the property of the Board 
and shall be surrende red on demand of the Board. 
SECTION 6.     AMENDATORY     5 9 O.S. 2021, Section 2 030, is 
amended to read as follows: 
Section 2030. The State Board of Medical Licensure and 
Supervision shall:   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 11  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 
  
1.  Examine, license and renew the licenses of duly qualified 
applicants; 
2.  Maintain an up-to-date list of every person li censed to 
practice respiratory care pursuant to the Respiratory Care Pract ice 
Act.  The list shall show the licensee ’s last-known place of 
employment, last-known place of residence, an d the date and number 
of the license; 
3.  Cause the prosecution of all p ersons violating the 
Respiratory Care Practi ce Act and incur necessary exp enses therefor; 
4.  Keep a record of all proceedings of the Board and make such 
record available to the public for inspection during reasonable 
business hours; 
5.  Conduct hearings u pon charges calling f or discipline of a 
licensee, or denial, revocation or suspension of a license; and 
6.  Share information on a case -by-case basis of any person 
whose license has be en suspended, revoked or denied.  This 
information shall include the nam e, social security nu mber, type and 
cause of action, date and penalty incu rred, and the length of 
penalty.  This information shall be available for public inspection 
during reasonable business hours and shall be supplied to similar 
boards in other states u pon request. 
SECTION 7.     AMENDATORY     59 O.S. 2021, Section 3203, is 
amended to read as follows:   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 12  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 
  
Section 3203. The State Board of Medical Licensure and 
Supervision shall: 
1.  Examine, license and renew the licenses of duly qualified 
applicants; 
2.  Maintain an up-to-date list of every person licensed to 
practice pursuant to the O klahoma Anesthesiologist Assistant Act.  
The list shall show the licensee ’s last-known place of employment, 
last-known place of residence, and the date and number of the 
license; 
3.  Cause the prosecution of all perso ns violating the Oklahoma 
Anesthesiologist Assistant Act and incur necessary expenses 
therefor; 
4.  Keep a record of all proceedings of the Board and make such 
record available to the public for inspection during reas onable 
business hours; 
5.  Conduct hearings upon charges calling for disciplin e of a 
licensee, or denial, revocation or suspension of a license; and 
6.  Share information on a case -by-case basis of any person 
whose license has been suspended, revoked or de nied.  The 
information shall include th e name, social security number, type and 
cause of action, date and penalty incurred, and the length of 
penalty.  The information shall be available for public inspection 
during reasonable business hours and shall be s upplied to similar 
boards in other stat es upon request.   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 13  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 
  
SECTION 8.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified 
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3209 of Title 59, unless there 
is created a duplication in numberin g, reads as follows: 
A. There is hereby established the Anesthesiolog ist Assistants 
Advisory Committee to advise the State Board of Medical Licensure 
and Supervision on matters pertaining to the licensure, educati on, 
and continuing education of licensed an esthesiologist assistants and 
the practice of anesthesiolog ist assistants. 
B. The Board shall appoint five (5) members to the 
Anesthesiologist Assistants Advisory Committee as follows: 
1. Three members shall be qualified physicians who have been 
actively practicing anesthesiology in this stat e for at least five 
(5) years; and 
2. Two members shall be licensed anesthesiolog ist assistants 
who have been actively practicing as an anesthesiolog ist assistant 
in this state for at least five (5) years . 
C. The physician members of the Committee shall be appointed 
for staggered terms of one (l), two (2), and three (3) years, 
respectively. 
D.  Terms of office of each appointed member shall expire July 1 
of that year in which they expire regardless of the calendar dat e 
when such appointments were made.  Subsequent appointments shall be 
made for a term of three (3) years or until successors are appointed 
and qualified.   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 14  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 
  
E. Vacancies shall be filled by the Board in the same manner as 
the original appointment. 
F.  Members of the Committee shall serve without c ompensation. 
G.  The Committee shall have the power and duty to: 
1.  Meet at least twice a year or as otherwise called by the 
Board; and 
2. Advise the Board on matters pertaining to the licensure, 
education, and continuing education requirements for and the 
practice of anesthesiolog ist assistants in this state. 
SECTION 9.     AMENDATORY     59 O.S. 2021, Section 4000.1, as 
amended by Section 1, Chapter 279, O.S.L. 2022 (59 O.S. Su pp. 2022, 
Section 4000.1), is amended to read as follows: 
Section 4000.1. A.  As used in this section: 
1. “Substantially relate” means the nature of the crim inal 
conduct for which the person was conv icted has a direct bearing on 
the fitness or ability to perfo rm one or more of the duties or 
responsibilities necessarily related to the occupation; and 
2.  “Pose a reasonable threat” means the nature of the crimin al 
conduct for which the person was convic ted involved an act or threat 
of harm against another and has a bearing on the fitness or abi lity 
to serve the public or work with others in the occupation. 
B.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a conviction, 
plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or pending criminal charge of a 
crime may be grounds for the denial of an applicant for a state   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 15  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 
  
license or state certification to practice an occupation only if the 
underlying offense substantially relates to the duties and 
responsibilities of th e occupation and poses a reasonable threat to 
public safety, health, or welfare .  When making a determination 
pursuant to this subsection, a licensing or certification authority 
shall consider: 
1.  The nature and seriousness of the offense; 
2.  The amount of time that has pas sed since the offense; 
3.  The age of the person at the time the offense was committed; 
4.  Evidence relevant to the circumstances of the offense 
including any aggravating or mitigating circumstances of social 
conditions surrounding the commission of th e offense; 
5.  The nature of th e specific duties and responsibilities for 
which the license or certification is required; and 
6.  Any evidence of rehabilitation submitted by the applicant 
including, but not limited to, evi dence related to the person’s 
compliance with any conditions of community supervision, parole, or 
mandatory supervision, the conduct and work activity of the person, 
programming, or treatment undertaken by the person, and testimonials 
or personal reference statements. 
C.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a l icensing or 
certification authority shall not deny a state license or state 
certification to practice an occupation due to:   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 16  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 
  
1.  An arrest that was not followed by a valid plea of guilty or 
nolo contendere unless charges are curren tly pending; 
2.  A conviction that has been sealed, or expunged; 
3.  A conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere for which 
more than five (5) years have elapsed since the date of conviction, 
plea, or release from incarceration, whichever is later, so long as 
the person has not be en convicted of a new crime. This paragraph 
shall not apply to any conviction or plea of guilty or nolo 
contendere for: 
a. an offense enumerated in Section 571 of Title 57 of 
the Oklahoma Statutes, 
b. a felony involving domestic assault, domestic assault 
and battery, or domest ic abuse as defined in Section 
644 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, 
c. an offense that would require registration as a sex 
offender pursuant to the Sex Offenders Registration 
Act, or 
d. any equivalent law enumerated in this paragraph from 
another jurisdiction ; or 
4.  A finding that an applicant lacks good character or fails to 
meet any other similarly vague standard where a criminal conviction 
is the basis for the finding. 
D.  Before a state licensing or state certification authority 
makes a final determination that a criminal conviction, plea of   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 17  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 
  
guilty or nolo conten dere, or pending criminal charge may disqualify 
an applicant for licensure, that authority shall provide written 
notice of: 
1.  The specific offense that is the basis for the intended 
denial; 
2. The reasons the offense was determined to substantially 
relate to the duties and responsibilities of the occupation and 
posed a reasonable threat t o public safety, health, or welfare, 
including findings for each of the factors in subsection B of this 
section that the licensing or certification authority deemed 
relevant to the determination; and 
3.  The right to submit additional evidence relevant to each of 
the factors listed in subsection B of this section within thirty 
(30) days, which the licensing or certification authority shall 
consider before issuing a final determination. 
E.  A final determination that a criminal conviction, plea of 
guilty or nolo contendere, or pending criminal charge may prevent a 
person from receiving a license shall be in writing an d include 
notice of the right to appeal the determination pursuant to the 
Administrative Procedures Act, or a more specific statutory 
authority, and notice of the earliest date the applicant may reapply 
for a license. 
F. A person with a criminal history r ecord may request a 
determination of whether his or her c riminal history record may   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 18  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 
  
disqualify him or her from obtaining the desired l icense or 
certification in the occupation from a state licensing or state 
certification authority at any time, including before obtaining any 
required education or t raining for such occupation.  The request 
shall be in writing and shall include either a copy of the person’s 
criminal history record with explanation of each conviction 
mentioned in the criminal history record or a statement describing 
each criminal conviction including the date of each conviction, the 
court of jurisdiction and the sentence imposed. The person may 
include a statement with h is or her request describing additional 
information for consideration by the licensing or certification 
authority including, but not limited to, information relevant to any 
of the factors for consideration described in subsection B of this 
section. 
G.  Upon receipt of a written request for consideration of a 
criminal history record for an occupation as provided in subsection 
F of this section, the licensing or certification authority shall 
evaluate the request and make a determination based upon the 
information provided in such request whether the stated con viction 
is a disqualifying offense for the occupation. A notice of the 
determination shall be issued to the petitioner within sixty (60) 
days from the date such request was received by the licensing or 
certification authority, except however, a li censing or 
certification authority regulating fifty thousand or more members in   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 19  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 
  
its occupation shall be allowed ninety (90) days to make its initial 
determination and issue notice to the requestor. 
H.  A determination made pursuant to subsection F of this 
subsection that a person may not be disqualified for licensure or 
certification due to criminal history shall be binding upon a 
licensing or certification authority unless, at the time a full 
application for a license is submitted, the applicant has 
subsequently pled guilty or nolo contendere to a crime, has pending 
criminal charges, or has previously undisclosed criminal 
convictions. 
I. The notice of a determination made pursuant to subsect ion F 
of this section shall be in writing and mailed to the requ estor at 
the address provided in his or her request, and shall contain the 
following statements: 
1.  Whether the person is eligible for licensure or 
certification in the occup ation at the current time based upon t he 
information submitted by the req uestor; 
2.  Whether there is a disqualifying offense that would 
disqualify the person from engaging in the occupation at the current 
time and a statement identifying such offense in the criminal 
history record or information submitted for consideration; 
3. Any actions the person may take to remedy a 
disqualification, if any;   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 20  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 
  
4.  The earliest date the person may submit another request for 
consideration, if any; and 
5.  A statement that the determination may be rescinded if, at 
the time a full application for a license is submitted, the 
applicant has subsequently pled guilty or nolo contendere to a 
crime, has pending criminal charges, or has previously undisclosed 
criminal convictions. 
J.  A state entity charged with oversight of an occupational 
license or certification may promulgate forms fo r requests for 
determinations for the occupation as a uthorized in subsection F of 
this section.  Each state licensing or certification authority may 
charge a fee not to exceed Ninety -five Dollars ($95.00) for each 
initial determination of eligibility it makes for the occupation 
based upon the information p rovided by the requestor. 
K.  Each state licensing or state certification authority shall 
include in its application for a license or certification and 
publish on its public website the following information: 
1.  Whether the criminal offenses of applicants may be used as a 
basis for denial; 
2.  If criminal history may be used as a basis for denial as 
listed in subsection B of this section, which offenses the licensing 
or certification authority shall consider; and 
3. Notice of the right to request a determination pursuant to 
subsection F of this section.   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 21  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 
  
L. Each state licensing or state certification authority 
authorized to consider the criminal conviction of an applicant shall 
annually provide to the Legislature, and publish on its public 
website, the following: 
1.  The number of license applications received; 
2. The number of applications that resulted in a license being 
granted; 
3.  The number of applications that resulted in a license being 
denied; 
4.  The number of applications that were denied due to criminal 
history; 
5.  A list of criminal offenses reported by individuals who were 
granted a license; 
6.  A list of criminal offenses reported b y individuals who were 
denied a license due t o criminal history along with the time elapsed 
since the commission of the offense; and 
7.  The number of petitions received by the licensing or 
certification authority pursuant to subsection F of this section. 
M.  The provisions of this section sha ll not be construed to 
apply to the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training, the 
Bail Bonds Division of the Oklahoma Insurance Department, the State 
Board of Education, the State Board of Medical Licensure and 
Supervision, or individuals applying to these authorities for 
licensure or certification.   
 
 
Req. No. 1376 	Page 22  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 
  
SECTION 10.  This act shall bec ome effective November 1, 2023. 
 
59-1-1376 DC 1/17/2023 6:53:42 PM