OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today convened the first hearing of a newly-formed select committee to investigate financial operations within the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).

This initiative is led by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, to provide greater transparency and oversight into how state funds are being allocated and spent by the department. Majority Leader Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa has been appointed chair of the bipartisan 14-member panel, which includes 11 Republicans and 3 Democrats.

“With just over a month remaining in the legislative session, this investigation is a top priority,” said Speaker Hilbert. “Our goal is to understand the department’s financial practices, ensure accountability and determine whether additional funding is truly necessary before the session concludes.”

Among the issues under review are:

• Reports of using current fiscal year funds to cover prior year expenses
• The cancellation of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) contracts and its impact on service continuity
• The agency’s request for FY25 supplemental funding
• The unexplained allocation of $5 million for an electronic medical records (EMR) system that was never implemented
• Long-term budget planning for FY26
• Updates related to the federal court-ordered consent decree impacting ODMHSAS

Testimony Thursday included:

• ODMHSAS Commissioner Allie Friesen
• Tulsa District Attorney Steve Kunzweiller
• Tulsa Police Officer Lt. Amber McCarty
• Tulsa Police Deputy Chief Mark Wollmershauser

Still set to testify at upcoming meetings will be:

• Skip Leonard – Interim CFO, ODMHSAS
• Regina Birchum – Director, Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency
• Aaron Morris, CFO, State of Oklahoma
• Barrett Brown – Former Chief of Staff, ODMHSAS
• Janet Cizek – CEO, Community Treatment Integrations of Oklahoma
• Jon Greenwood – CEO, Gateway to Prevention
• Adam Andreassen – CEO, Family and Children's Services
• Amanda Otis – Purchasing Director, State of Oklahoma 

The committee’s investigation complements other oversight efforts already in progress. A forensic audit of ODMHSAS is currently being conducted by the State Auditor and Inspector. Additionally, the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) is reviewing the department’s contracts and financial records, and Governor Kevin Stitt will soon appoint a special investigator to conduct an independent review.

During today’s hearing, lawmakers also addressed the recently passed consent decree stemming from a 2023 lawsuit against ODMHSAS. The decree, negotiated by the Governor’s Office, the Office of the Attorney General, and ODMHSAS, was approved unanimously by the House (91-0). It seeks to uphold due process for pretrial defendants awaiting mental health evaluations and competency restoration by mandating faster evaluations, expanded forensic resources, and improved training.

“This is a critical moment for mental health services in Oklahoma,” said Rep. Lawson. “We must balance compassion with accountability and ensure those in crisis receive the help they need, while taxpayers can trust their dollars are being spent wisely.”

The committee is expected to hold additional hearings over the coming weeks as legislators work swiftly to draft a balanced budget as is constitutionally required and complete their review prior to session adjournment at the end of May.