Committees

A measure aimed at improving access to care and strengthening health insurance protections for the over 40,000 Oklahomans living with epilepsy has been passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.  Rep. Daniel Pae, R-Lawton, authored House Bill 4294  to require individual and group health insurance policies providing medical and surgical benefits to offer the same coverage protections to individuals diagnosed with epilepsy as they would to those without the condition. The measure also prohibits insurers from terminating or refusing coverage based solely on an epilepsy diagnosis.  The bill also requires insurance plans to cover medically necessary neurostimulation devices when prescribed by a licensed physician treating the patient. These devices can help reduce or prevent seizures for individuals whose epilepsy does not respond to medication alone. "Epilepsy can be life-altering for those living with it, as well as for their loved ones," Pae said. "Under House Bill 4294, the tens of thousands of Oklahomans with epilepsy would no longer be unfairly penalized by their insurance coverage. By expanding access to treatments and proven medical technology, patients and their doctors can fully pursue the care that works best for them." According to the Epilepsy Foundation of Oklahoma , around 41,000 Oklahomans are diagnosed with epilepsy. Last year, Pae authored Dylan's Law , a measure improving education and awareness around Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), a fatal complication of epilepsy. The law is named for Dylan Cheatwood, who passed away in 2017 from SUDEP, and took effect Nov. 1, 2025. Having passed the House 63-32, HB4294 moves to the Senate for consideration. It's authored in the Senate by Sen. Brenda Stanley, R-Midwest City.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has approved legislation by Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, aimed at protecting voluntary religious expression in public schools. House Bill 3240 requires school districts and charter schools to adopt policies allowing students and school employees the opportunity to participate in a voluntary period of prayer or reading of religious texts during the school day. Participation would be entirely voluntary and would require written consent from a parent or guardian for students. Hasenbeck filed the bill to provide clarity for school districts who may fear litigation following the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court case Kennedy v. Bremerton School District . She said the legislation is intended to provide school districts with a clear and constitutional framework for accommodating voluntary prayer or religious text reading. "Students and school employees should never feel like they have to hide their faith or worry about whether voluntary religious expression is allowed," Hasenbeck said. "House Bill 3240 provides clear guidance so schools can respect the religious freedom of students and educators while also respecting the rights of those who choose not to participate." The bill specifies that the period may not replace instructional time or involve prayer or readings broadcast over school public address systems. It also allows the designated period to take place before the start of the regular school day or in classrooms where all participants have submitted a consent form. The House approved the measure 61-30. It now moves to the Senate for further consideration, where it's authored by Sen. Jerry Alvord, R-Wilson.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed legislation aimed at strengthening literacy among young drivers by restoring an eighth-grade reading requirement for minors seeking a driver license. House Bill 4153 , authored by Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, would require applicants under the age of 18 to demonstrate an eighth-grade reading level before receiving a driver license or permit. The requirement would generally be met by passing the statewide reading assessment, with alternative documentation available for certain students, including those with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The bill reinstates a requirement that had been in place in Oklahoma for decades before being removed in 2022. Hasenbeck, a former teacher, said the policy provides an incentive for students to improve reading proficiency while reinforcing the importance of education. "Learning to drive is an important milestone for young people, and it can also be a powerful motivator," Hasenbeck said. "By restoring this literacy requirement, we’re encouraging students to take reading seriously and ensuring they have the basic skills they need to navigate both the classroom and the real world safely." HB4153 also includes provisions for alternative testing methods and documentation of reading proficiency, as well as additional requirements related to school enrollment or lawful exemptions for minors seeking a license. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.