State Department of Health; authorizing employment of program liaisons to provide certain technical assistance. Effective date.
Impact
Should SB1382 be enacted, it would designate a new section in the Oklahoma Statutes, thereby codifying the role and responsibilities of program liaisons within the SDH. This formal recognition could lead to a more structured approach to compliance assistance, potentially resulting in better-maintained health standards across all facilities that the SDH oversees. The bill's effective date of November 1, 2024, indicates that the implementation of these positions and the associated support functions would begin in the following fiscal year, allowing for any necessary preparations to be made.
Summary
Senate Bill 1382 focuses on enhancing the operational capabilities of the Oklahoma State Department of Health (SDH) by authorizing the employment of program liaisons. These liaisons would be responsible for providing technical assistance with regulatory compliance to various facilities within the state, including long-term care facilities, medical facilities, food establishments, and jails. The primary goal of the bill is to support these institutions in adhering to the necessary health regulations, thereby possibly improving overall compliance rates and safety standards across these facilities.
Contention
While the bill has been positioned as a means to enhance public health oversight, discussions around its introduction may highlight the allocation of state resources toward new personnel amidst ongoing budget constraints. Some may question whether the creation of more staff within the SDH will yield sufficient returns in terms of improved health regulation compliance or if existing resources could be reallocated more efficiently. Additionally, the potential impact on local government operations, as well as the costs associated with employing these liaisons, may be points of debate among legislators and constituents alike.
State government; State Employee Assistance Program; authorizing the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to enter into certain agreements; effective date.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; providing for eligibility of certain pregnant applicant or recipient. Effective date. Emergency.
School employees; creating an Education Employee Assistance Program within the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; effective date; emergency.
Long-term care; designating Oklahoma Health Care Authority as state administering agency for PACE program agreements; requiring certain enforcement; directing State Department of Health to create and issue certain license. Effective date.
Public health and safety; state Medicaid program; not to contract with out of state providers; unauthorizing the Health Care Authority from providing certain coverage; effective date.
State government; creating the OK to Relocate Act; authorizing the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to establish a talent attraction program. Effective date.