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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
HOUSE BILL 2914 By: Pittman
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to caretakers; creating the Oklahoma
Respite Care Pilot Program for Seniors Act; providing
the purpose; providing defini tions; establishing
respite care pilot programs; providing for
eligibility; providing application process; providing
participating providers; providing for funding;
providing for reporting and evaluation; providing for
codification; and providing an effect ive date.
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.1 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
This act shall be known and m ay be cited as the "Oklahoma
Respite Care Pilot Program for Seniors Act ".
SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.2 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication in number ing, reads as follows:
The purpose of this act is to establish pilot programs designed
to provide respite care services for seniors in Oklahoma through
vouchers or respite waivers. These programs will ensure caregivers
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can access essential weekend and eve ning care services through adult
day centers and residential care facilities equipped to meet the
unique needs of seniors. The ultimate goal is to reduce caregiver
burnout, support working families, and improve the well -being of
both seniors and their car egivers by offering flexible care options.
SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.3 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
For purposes of this act:
1. "Adult day center" means a licensed facility providing
social, health-related, or personal care services in a protective
setting during the day;
2. "Respite care" means temporary relief for primary caregivers
of seniors, providing sh ort-term care for seniors in appropriate
settings;
3. "Residential care facil ity" means a facility licensed to
provide care services to seniors who do not require twenty-four-hour
nursing care but need assistance with daily living activities;
4. "Respite waiver" refers to financial assistance provided to
eligible caregivers, ensuring access to respite care services at no
or reduced cost; and
5. "Voucher" means a payment issued to caregivers allowing them
to obtain respite care services from participating care providers.
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SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of l aw to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.4 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The Department of Human Servic es (DHS) is hereby authorized
to establish and administer pilot programs for the provision of
respite care vouchers or respite waivers to caregivers of seniors
limited to designated counties, and within the designated counties,
qualified facilities may opt into the pilot program .
B. The pilot programs shall:
1. Provide financial a ssistance in the form of vouchers or
waivers for caregivers of seniors, enabling them to access care
services outside traditional hours, including weekend and evening
care;
2. Prioritize caregivers who are employed in evening -hour or
nontraditional work schedules, ensuring they have access to services
when needed most; and
3. Facilitate the participation of adult day centers,
residential care facilities, and other licensed provi ders equipped
to deliver care for seniors with various health and personal nee ds.
SECTION 5. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.5 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication i n numbering, reads as follows:
A. To qualify for participation in the respite care pilot
programs, applicants shall:
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1. Be primary caregivers of seniors aged sixty -five (65) years
or older;
2. Demonstrate employment in evening -hour jobs or
nontraditional work schedules where traditional caregiving services
are not sufficient; and
3. Provide documentation demonstrating financial need for
respite care assistance, as determined by the Department of Human
Services (DHS).
B. Applications for respite care vo uchers or waivers shall be
made to (DHS), which will evaluate and approve applicants based on
established criteria.
SECTION 6. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.6 of Title 63, unles s there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. Eligible providers for respite care services under this act
shall include:
1. Licensed adult day centers and residential care facilities;
and
2. Other licensed care agencies equipped to meet the unique
needs of seniors.
B. Providers shall be reimbursed by the state for services
rendered under the voucher or waiver programs, based on rates
established by the Department of Human Services ( DHS).
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SECTION 7. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.7 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The respite care pilot programs established by this act
shall be funded through multiple so urces, including but not limited
to:
1. Grants from federal, state, or private sources;
2. Public-private partnerships designed to support caregiving
and senior care; and
3. Allocated state funds, subject to legislative
appropriations.
B. The Department of Human Services ( DHS) is authorized to seek
and apply for available federa l and state funding to support the
pilot programs, including funds under the Medicaid program and other
relevant federal initiatives.
SECTION 8. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.8 of Title 63, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The Department of Human Services ( DHS) shall conduct an
annual review and report to the Leg islature on the effectiveness of
the respite care pilot programs, including:
1. The number of caregivers served by the program s;
2. Data on the utilization of care services during
nontraditional hours; and
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3. Program outcomes, including improvements in caregiver well-
being and senior care.
B. The report shall include recommendations for expanding,
modifying, or continuing the program s based on its performance and
stakeholder feedback.
SECTION 9. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.
60-1-12212 TJ 01/15/25