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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
HOUSE BILL 1831 By: Hefner, Stinson, and Roe
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to community health workers; creating
the Oklahoma Community Health Worker s 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 OKLAH OMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280 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 s Act".
SECTION 2. 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:
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As used in the Oklahoma Community Health Worker s Act:
1. "Certified community health worker " means a community health
worker to whom the State Department of Health has issued 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 understanding of and is a trusted member of
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. 2 of Title 59, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The State Departme nt 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 health and social services and
the community to facilitate access t o services and improve the
quality and cultural competence of service delivery ;
2. Assist in identifying and communicating gaps in current
community and health care resources; and
3. Build individual and community capacity by increasing health
knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as
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outreach, community education, coaching, mentoring, social support,
and advocacy.
SECTION 4. 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 Commissioner of Health shall promulgate rules to:
1. Adopt a set of standards for the approval of certified
community health worker s' initial 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, suspending,
and revoking a certificate to protect public health and safety.
B. The Commissioner m ay also promulgate rules necessary for the
proper administration and enforcement of the Oklahoma Community
Health Workers Act which allow for reciprocity agreements with :
1. The Indian Health Service ;
2. Tribal Contract or Compact Health Centers ;
3. Urban Indian Health Centers ; and
4. Tribal health systems.
C. The Commissioner shall prescribe fees for the certified
community health worker examination, initial certification, a nd
certification renewal.
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SECTION 5. This act shall become ef fective November 1, 2025.
60-1-12167 TJ 01/12/25