Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Oklahoma Legislature, fetched 2026-07-23. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
3 HOUSE BILL 1831 By: Hefner, Stinson, and Roe
4
5
6
7
AS INTRODUCED
8
An Act relating to community health workers; creating
9 the Oklahoma Community Health Workers Act; defining
terms; directing establishment of certificate; making
10 certification voluntary; listing powers of community
health worker; requiring and authorizing promulgation
11 of certain rules; directing establishment of certain
fees; providing for codification; and providing an
12 effective date.
13
14
15
16 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
17 SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
18 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280 of Title 59, unless there
19 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
20 This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma
21 Community Health Workers Act".
22 SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
23 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.1 of Title 59, unless there
24 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
Req. No. 12167 Page 1
1 As used in the Oklahoma Community Health Workers Act:
2 1. "Certified community health worker" means a community health
3 worker to whom the State Department of Health has issued a
4 certificate to practice as a certified community health worker in
5 this state;
6 2. "Community health worker" means a frontline public health
7 worker who has a shared understanding of and is a trusted member of
8 the community being served; and
9 3. "Department" means the State Department of Health.
10 SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
11 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.2 of Title 59, unless there
12 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
13 A. The State Department of Health shall establish a certificate
14 for community health workers. This certification shall be
15 voluntary.
16 B. A certified community health worker may:
17 1. Serve as a liaison between health and social services and
18 the community to facilitate access to services and improve the
19 quality and cultural competence of service delivery;
20 2. Assist in identifying and communicating gaps in current
21 community and health care resources; and
22 3. Build individual and community capacity by increasing health
23 knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as
24
Req. No. 12167 Page 2
1 outreach, community education, coaching, mentoring, social support,
2 and advocacy.
3 SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
4 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.3 of Title 59, unless there
5 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
6 A. The State Commissioner of Health shall promulgate rules to:
7 1. Adopt a set of standards for the approval of certified
8 community health workers' initial coursework or curriculum;
9 2. Establish examination administration requirements for the
10 Department or one or more designees;
11 3. Define minimum qualifications for applicants to be
12 certified; and
13 4. Establish the criteria for granting, denying, suspending,
14 and revoking a certificate to protect public health and safety.
15 B. The Commissioner may also promulgate rules necessary for the
16 proper administration and enforcement of the Oklahoma Community
17 Health Workers Act which allow for reciprocity agreements with:
18 1. The Indian Health Service;
19 2. Tribal Contract or Compact Health Centers;
20 3. Urban Indian Health Centers; and
21 4. Tribal health systems.
22 C. The Commissioner shall prescribe fees for the certified
23 community health worker examination, initial certification, and
24 certification renewal.
Req. No. 12167 Page 3
1 SECTION 5. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.
2
3 60-1-12167 TJ 01/12/25
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Req. No. 12167 Page 4Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.