Health and Human Services Oversight

Legislation updating the Successful Adulthood Act, which provides expanded support for young Oklahomans moving from foster care into adulthood, has been approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang, authored House Bill 2361 to provide children who have been in foster care for at least six months and are nearing 18 with their educational transcripts, diplomas and any professional certificates earned during their time in state custody.  "The Successful Adulthood Act is about making sure young Oklahomans have the support they deserve as they navigate the tough adjustment from foster care into adulthood," Hill said. "Providing these young adults with the tools and information they need will help them build a foundation for a successful future. By expanding the services and protections in the Successful Adulthood Act, we are helping these young people move forward with confidence and the resources to obtain employment, find housing and create a better life for themselves." Additionally, the bill includes a provision modeled after the Sarah Stitt Act, which Hill passed in 2021. It requires that individuals leaving the custody of the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) after turning 18 be provided with critical documents before re-entering society. These documents include a certified copy of their U.S. birth certificate, a social security card, a state-issued driver’s license or ID, educational records and information on securing health insurance and accessing personal medical records. "This provision is a vital addition to the Successful Adulthood Act, ensuring that young people leaving state custody are equipped with the necessary documentation to smoothly move into adulthood and the workforce," Hill stated. "With these resources, they will have a stronger chance of securing housing, employment, and education, ultimately becoming productive members of society and valued members of our communities." HB2361 passed the House 88-4 and now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

The  House passed legislation  of f  the  floor today that would allow for additional state investments in infrastructure tied to Oklahoma's five military bases. House  Speaker  Kyle Hilbert authored House Bill 2516 and House Bill 2518, which create revolving funds at  the  state Treasury for use by  the  Oklahoma Military Department.  The  Base Infrastructure Needs and Development (BIND) fund will have a technology and a schools component that will allow for additional support to  the  state's military bases in  the  hopes  of  preventing any future base closures and expanding operations when possible. "Oklahoma has a long history across multiple branches  of   the  military and we want to send a loud signal that  the  state supports our bases," said Hilbert, R-Bristow. " The se funds will allow funds to accrue over time so we are able to take advantage  of  potential expansion opportunities as  the y become available and fight against any potential closures in  the  future." House Bill 2516 creates  the  BIND-Schools Fund, which can be used to make infrastructure investments improving common education facilities located on military bases in  the  state. House Bill 2518 creates  the  BIND-Technology Fund, which can be used to make infrastructure investments including  the  purchase  of  license and software associated with military simulation training. Both funds are intended to decrease  the  likelihood  of  military base and other military infrastructure closure or increase  the  likelihood  of  military base and other military infrastructure expansions in  the  state. " The  military plays an important role in our state's economy, but also in  the  values we live in our state," said Floor Leader Josh West, R-Grove, and an Army veteran. " The re is no greater investment than shoring up our military bases and making sure we are poised for any needed growth in our military in  the  years to come." Both bills passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and will now head to  the  Senate for further consideration. -END-

House  Speaker  Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, and Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, released  the  following joint statement in conjunction with Gov. Kevin Stitt calling on  the  state Auditor today to audit  the  Oklahoma Department  of  Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services: "House and Senate leadership have taken immediate action to activate  the  services at  the  Legislative  Office   of  Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) to determine why this unacceptable shortfall exists, what its breadth is, and how we prevent it from ever occurring again. Constitutionally we are obligated to pass a state budget no less than 12 weeks from now.  In addition to  the  engagement  of  LOFT through a joint legislative service request to dig into  the  agency's finances, we also urge  the  state Auditor to conduct a forensic audit. LOFT can provide us  the  quick answers we need to do our constitutional duties before sine die adjournment while  the  breadth  of  a forensic audit from  the  State Auditor is needed to ensure  the re is no waste, fraud or abuse associated with this shortfall. This two-pronged approach, which is supported by  the  Department, is needed to give us both short-term and long-term answers to rectify  the  situation and ensure it does not happen again." -END-