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 2615 By: Harris
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6 AS INTRODUCED
7 An Act relating to community health workers; creating
the Oklahoma Community Health Worker Act; providing
8 short title; defining terms; directing establishment
of certificate; making certification voluntary;
9 listing powers of community health worker; requiring
and authorizing promulgation of certain rules;
10 directing establishment of certain fees; providing
for codification; and providing an effective date.
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14 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
15 SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
16 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.1 of Title 59, unless there
17 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
18 This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma
19 Community Health Worker Act".
20 SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
21 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.2 of Title 59, unless there
22 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
23 As used in the Oklahoma Community Health Worker Act:
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Req. No. 11346 Page 1
1 1. "Certified community health worker" means a community health
2 worker to whom the State Department of Health has issued a
3 certificate to practice as a certified community health worker in
4 this state;
5 2. "Community health worker" means a frontline public health
6 worker who has a shared understanding of and is a trusted member in
7 the community being served; and
8 3. "Department" means the State Department of Health.
9 SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
10 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.3 of Title 59, unless there
11 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
12 A. The State Department of Health shall establish a certificate
13 for community health workers. This certification shall be
14 voluntary.
15 B. A certified community health worker may:
16 1. Serve as a liaison between health and social services and
17 the community to facilitate access to services and improve the
18 quality and cultural competence of service delivery;
19 2. Assist in identifying and communicating gaps in current
20 community and health care resources; and
21 3. Build individual and community capacity by increasing health
22 knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as
23 outreach, community education, coaching, mentoring, social support,
24 and advocacy.
Req. No. 11346 Page 2
1 SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
2 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.4 of Title 59, unless there
3 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
4 A. The State Commissioner of Health shall promulgate rules to:
5 1. Adopt a set of standards for the approval of certified
6 community health worker initial coursework or curriculum;
7 2. Establish examination administration requirements for the
8 Department or one or more designees;
9 3. Define minimum qualifications for applicants to be
10 certified; and
11 4. Establish the criteria for granting, denying, suspending,
12 and revoking a certificate to protect public health and safety.
13 B. The Commissioner may also promulgate rules necessary for the
14 proper administration and enforcement of the Oklahoma Community
15 Health Worker Act and which allow for reciprocity agreements
16 including, but not limited to, with the Indian Health Service,
17 Tribal Contract or Compact Health Centers, Urban Indian Health
18 Centers, and tribal health systems.
19 C. The Commissioner shall prescribe fees for the certified
20 community health worker examination, initial certification, and
21 certification renewal.
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Req. No. 11346 Page 3
1 SECTION 5. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.
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3 60-1-11346 TKR 01/15/25
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Req. No. 11346 Page 4Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.