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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
HOUSE BILL 3798 By: Hefner, McEntire, and Roe
of the House
and
Young of the Senate
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to community health workers; creating
the Oklahoma Community Health Worker Act; defining
terms; directing establishment of certificate; making
certification voluntary; listing powers of community
health worker; requiring and authorizing promulgation
of certain rules; directing establishment of certain
fees; providing for codification; and providing an
effective date.
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 1280.1 of Title 59, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma
Community Health Worker Act ".
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SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new sect ion of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.2 of Title 59, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
As used in the Oklahoma Community Health Worker Act:
1. "Certified community health worker " means a community health
worker to whom the State Department of Health has is sued a
certificate to practice as a certified community health worker in
this state;
2. "Community health worker " means a frontline public health
worker who has a shared understand ing of and is a trusted member in
the community being served; and
3. "Department" means the State Department of Health.
SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.3 of Title 59, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The State Department of Health shall establish a certificate
for community health workers. This certification shall be
voluntary.
B. A certified community health worker may:
1. Serve as a liaison between heal th and social services and
the community to facilitate access to services and improve the
quality and cultural competence of service delivery ;
2. Assist in identifying and communicating gaps in current
community and health care resourc es; and
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3. Build individual and community capacity by increasing health
knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as
outreach, community education, coaching, mentoring, social support,
and advocacy.
SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new sec tion of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.4 of Title 59, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The State Commissioner of Health shall promulgate rules to:
1. Adopt a set of standards for the approval of certified
community health worker in itial coursework or curriculum;
2. Establish examination administration requirements for the
Department or one or more designees;
3. Define minimum qualifications for applicants to be
certified; and
4. Establish the criteria for granting, denying, suspe nding,
and revoking a certificate to protect public health and safety.
B. The Commissioner may also promulgate rules necessary for the
proper administration and enforcement of the Oklahoma Community
Health Worker Act and which allow for reciprocity agreem ents
including, but not limited to, with the Indian Health Service,
Tribal Contract or Compact Health Centers , Urban Indian Health
Centers, and tribal health systems.
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C. The Commissioner shall prescribe fees for the certified
community health worker exam ination, initial certification, and
certification renewal.
SECTION 5. This act shall become effective November 1, 2024.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH, date d 02/15/2024 -
DO PASS.