Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

A measure establishing a pathway to fund a pilot program designed to expand opportunities to invest in Oklahoma's mental health workforce has been signed into law. House Bill 3449, authored by Rep. Jeff Boatman, R-Tulsa, modifies the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority Behavioral Health Workforce Development Fund and establishes the University Hospitals Authority Behavioral Health Workforce Development Fund. The funds could be used to implement a pilot program at behavioral health facilities aimed at supporting behavioral health workforce development and facilitating access to behavioral health professionals. "I am glad to learn that the governor signed House Bill 3449," Boatman said. "It's critical that our flagship public universities assist the private sector in growing our mental health workforce. We currently have a critical shortage of psychology and psychiatry professionals in Oklahoma, and this bill is a great first step in addressing that issue."  "As our state continues to grapple with the challenges of mental health care, House Bill 3449 represents a significant step forward," Haste said. "By establishing this fund, we are paving the way for innovative pilot programs that will expand access to mental health services and support the growth of our mental health workforce." The bill also requires the University Hospitals Authority, along with the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority, to submit a report to the Legislature detailing the results of the first year of funding.  HB3449 was passed with an emergency clause, allowing the bill to take effect immediately upon being signed. The bill was signed by the governor on May 13.  

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today responded to what the Department of Corrections (DOC) is calling a "group disturbance" at the Lawton Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility. Humphrey, who chairs the House Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee, recently criticized the department after two inmates were killed at the facility, which is managed by The Geo Group, a private owner. Initial reports said more than 30 people, including a corrections officer, were injured in the May 10 event. Corrections officials later downgraded that report to say only three people were injured. "I have been warning about escalation for months now in our state prison system, and here within the last two weeks we have multiple reports of incidences of violence resulting in death or injury in state prisons," Humphrey said. "And these are just the latest in a long list of such reports." In addition to the May 10 incident in Lawton, there was another report of inmate-on-inmate assault that sent two to the hospital with minor injuries from the same facility the week prior. Humphrey said he also received reports of a stabbing at a prison in Holdenville during the same timeframe. In addition, DOC reported that a deputy warden at the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center was terminated and arrested May 10 for the introduction of contraband into a penal institution. Upon first hearing reports of two killed and 30 injured in Lawton, Humphrey called the Lawton incident a "mini riot" and said at the very least it was a precursor to a riot. In a May 13 press release, DOC Chief of Public Relations Kay Thompson called the event a "group disturbance" and said Humphrey "seems to lack an understanding of precisely what constitutes a riot in a correctional setting." She said the department’s definition of a riot was "when inmates band together and are violent toward the facility and staff, causing massive damage and disrupting operations." Humphrey said her definition sounds "exactly like what is reported to have happened in Lawton. It's not my fault if the department can't count – there's a big discrepancy between 30 injured and three." Thompson also reportedly told media outlets the "disturbance" happened as a result of human error, when two rival gangs were place in the same area together. Humphrey said he looks forward to Thompson following through on her public promise to release full details of the event once an investigation is complete. But he again is calling for an outside investigation of this and other reports of rapes, murders, assaults and other human rights violations at state prisons. Humphrey said he also takes issue with Thompson's claim he is misrepresenting the truth to fit a "self-serving" narrative. "My political career has been greatly harmed because of my willingness to take a stand on this and other issues that involve millions of taxpayer dollars," Humphrey said. "Bottom line is I will keep fighting for the rights of our correctional officers and our inmates and their family members and others who are affected by what's happening behind the walls of our corrections' centers." Humphrey has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and served over 20 years in the DOC. He is certified by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET), and has many other law enforcement certifications or endorsements. He previously served as chair of the House Public Safety Committee.

 Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow, released the following statement applauding Attorney General Gentner Drummond's recent lawsuit against major diabetic drug manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMS) for unfair pricing. "I commend General Drummond and his office for advocating for Oklahomans struggling to make ends meet while PBMs and health insurers continue to boast record profits year after year. Since the Attorney General's office took authority over PBMs, we have seen progress in curbing their anti-competitive and monopolistic practices. "The Oklahoma Legislature has been at the forefront of the battle against PBMs and their lack of transparency in the United States. This lack of transparency has resulted in higher drug prices and poorer health outcomes. Despite misinformation from these companies and the state chamber of commerce, the Oklahoma House and Senate have remained steadfast in fighting PBM abuses." Marti serves as the chair of the Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee. According to the petition Drummond filed Tuesday, in the past decade alone, manufacturer defendants have increased the prices of their insulins up to 1000%.