Req. No. 83 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 757 By: Bullard AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to pregnancy care and support; requiring creation of certain progra m subject to available funding; stating purpose and goals of program; directing promulgatio n of certain rules; authorizing execution of certain contracts; describing program; listing components of program; stating program eligibility requirements; requirin g submission of certain report; describing report; providing rulemaking authority; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency . 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 1-740.31 of Title 63, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. Subject to availability of fund ing, there is hereby created within the State Department of Health a continuum of care program for certain pregnant women and parents . Req. No. 83 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. 1. The purpose of the program is to facilitate the operation of a statewide telecare support network that provides community outreach, consultations, and care coordination for women who are challenged with unexpected pregnanci es. 2. The program shall be designed to accomplish all of the following goals: a. encourage healthy childbirth , b. support childbirth as an alter native to abortion, c. promote family formation, d. assist parents in establishing s uccessful parenting techniques, and e. increase the economic self -sufficiency of families. C. 1. The program shall encompass a statewide telecar e support network. The State Commissioner of Health shall provide in rule for the functions and administratio n of this network. 2. The rules providing for the telecare support network shall ensure that the network does not hold itself out to be an entity that can perform, refer for, or assist with an abortion. The telecare support network shall not set appointments with or refer women or parents to any entity that performs abortions or recommends for abortion. D. The Department may enter into contracts to implement the program. Req. No. 83 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 SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1-740.32 of Title 63, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. 1. The continuum of care program shall provide direct services, supports, soc ial services case management, and referrals to biological parents of unborn children and biological or adoptive parents of children under the age of two (2) years. 2. The program shall deliver ser vices through electronic m eans, including synchronous and a synchronous interactions, utilizing the telecare support network provided for in Section 1 of this act. Subject to available funding, the program may deliver services through other modes of service delivery. B. The components of the program shall include , but not be limited to, all of the following: 1. Outreach to at-risk populations eligible for the program ; 2. Utilization of registered nurses, who shall be licensed by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing , to perform the follo wing functions: a. assessment and evaluation of needs related to pregnancy or parenting, and b. provision of medically accurate, pregnancy -related medical information to program participants ; 3. Utilization of social workers, who shall be licensed by the State Board of Licensed Social Wo rkers, or other licensed Req. No. 83 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 individuals with equivalen t experience, to perform the following functions: a. development of a care plan, resources, and supports for program participants to address identified needs , b. referrals to appropriate local reso urces including, but not limited to, state and federal bene fits programs and local charitable organizations , c. assistance in applying for state and federal benefi ts programs, and d. assistance in accomplishing elements of the care plan; and 4. Coordination for pregnant women served by the telecare support network of appointments with in -person pregnancy resources centers or similar agencies in this state which provide information and services including, but not limited to, counseling, ultrasound services, pregnancy tests, prenatal assistance, parenting classes, material support, and adoption information. C. In order to be eligible to receive services throu gh the program, an individual shall, at the time of initial contact with the program, meet all of the following requirements: 1. Is a resident of this state ; and 2. Is a biological parent of an unborn child or a biological or adoptive parent of a child under the age of two (2) years. Req. No. 83 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 SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new s ection of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1-740.33 of Title 63, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: On or before December 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the State Department of Health shall submit to the President Pro Tempor e of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report on the status and operation of the program. Each report required by this section shall include, at minimum, all of the following: 1. A detailed itemizati on of expenditures associate d with the program; 2. The number of individuals s erved by the program, and for the individuals served, the types of services provided to each ; 3. Any information regarding the program requested by and provided to any elected member of the Legislature during the period addressed in the report ; and 4. Any other information that the State Commissioner of Health deems necessary or appropriate for facil itating evaluation of the program. SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1-740.34 of Title 63, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: The State Commissioner of Health shall promulgate such rules as are necessary to implement th e provisions of this act. Req. No. 83 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 SECTION 5. This act shall become eff ective July 1, 2023. SECTION 6. It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval. 59-1-83 DC 1/18/2023 5:45:57 PM