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 2914 By: Pittman
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6 AS INTRODUCED
7 An Act relating to caretakers; creating the Oklahoma
Respite Care Pilot Program for Seniors Act; providing
8 the purpose; providing definitions; establishing
respite care pilot programs; providing for
9 eligibility; providing application process; providing
participating providers; providing for funding;
10 providing for reporting and evaluation; providing for
codification; and providing an effective date.
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SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
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in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.1 of Title 63, unless there
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is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
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This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma
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Respite Care Pilot Program for Seniors Act".
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SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
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in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.2 of Title 63, unless there
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is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
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The purpose of this act is to establish pilot programs designed
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to provide respite care services for seniors in Oklahoma through
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vouchers or respite waivers. These programs will ensure caregivers
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Req. No. 12212 Page 1
1 can access essential weekend and evening care services through adult
2 day centers and residential care facilities equipped to meet the
3 unique needs of seniors. The ultimate goal is to reduce caregiver
4 burnout, support working families, and improve the well-being of
5 both seniors and their caregivers by offering flexible care options.
6 SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
7 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.3 of Title 63, unless there
8 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
9 For purposes of this act:
10 1. "Adult day center" means a licensed facility providing
11 social, health-related, or personal care services in a protective
12 setting during the day;
13 2. "Respite care" means temporary relief for primary caregivers
14 of seniors, providing short-term care for seniors in appropriate
15 settings;
16 3. "Residential care facility" means a facility licensed to
17 provide care services to seniors who do not require twenty-four-hour
18 nursing care but need assistance with daily living activities;
19 4. "Respite waiver" refers to financial assistance provided to
20 eligible caregivers, ensuring access to respite care services at no
21 or reduced cost; and
22 5. "Voucher" means a payment issued to caregivers allowing them
23 to obtain respite care services from participating care providers.
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Req. No. 12212 Page 2
1 SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
2 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.4 of Title 63, unless there
3 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
4 A. The Department of Human Services (DHS) is hereby authorized
5 to establish and administer pilot programs for the provision of
6 respite care vouchers or respite waivers to caregivers of seniors
7 limited to designated counties, and within the designated counties,
8 qualified facilities may opt into the pilot program.
9 B. The pilot programs shall:
10 1. Provide financial assistance in the form of vouchers or
11 waivers for caregivers of seniors, enabling them to access care
12 services outside traditional hours, including weekend and evening
13 care;
14 2. Prioritize caregivers who are employed in evening-hour or
15 nontraditional work schedules, ensuring they have access to services
16 when needed most; and
17 3. Facilitate the participation of adult day centers,
18 residential care facilities, and other licensed providers equipped
19 to deliver care for seniors with various health and personal needs.
20 SECTION 5. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
21 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.5 of Title 63, unless there
22 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
23 A. To qualify for participation in the respite care pilot
24 programs, applicants shall:
Req. No. 12212 Page 3
1 1. Be primary caregivers of seniors aged sixty-five (65) years
2 or older;
3 2. Demonstrate employment in evening-hour jobs or
4 nontraditional work schedules where traditional caregiving services
5 are not sufficient; and
6 3. Provide documentation demonstrating financial need for
7 respite care assistance, as determined by the Department of Human
8 Services (DHS).
9 B. Applications for respite care vouchers or waivers shall be
10 made to (DHS), which will evaluate and approve applicants based on
11 established criteria.
12 SECTION 6. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
13 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.6 of Title 63, unless there
14 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
15 A. Eligible providers for respite care services under this act
16 shall include:
17 1. Licensed adult day centers and residential care facilities;
18 and
19 2. Other licensed care agencies equipped to meet the unique
20 needs of seniors.
21 B. Providers shall be reimbursed by the state for services
22 rendered under the voucher or waiver programs, based on rates
23 established by the Department of Human Services (DHS).
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1 SECTION 7. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
2 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.7 of Title 63, unless there
3 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
4 A. The respite care pilot programs established by this act
5 shall be funded through multiple sources, including but not limited
6 to:
7 1. Grants from federal, state, or private sources;
8 2. Public-private partnerships designed to support caregiving
9 and senior care; and
10 3. Allocated state funds, subject to legislative
11 appropriations.
12 B. The Department of Human Services (DHS) is authorized to seek
13 and apply for available federal and state funding to support the
14 pilot programs, including funds under the Medicaid program and other
15 relevant federal initiatives.
16 SECTION 8. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
17 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3119.8 of Title 63, unless there
18 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
19 A. The Department of Human Services (DHS) shall conduct an
20 annual review and report to the Legislature on the effectiveness of
21 the respite care pilot programs, including:
22 1. The number of caregivers served by the programs;
23 2. Data on the utilization of care services during
24 nontraditional hours; and
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1 3. Program outcomes, including improvements in caregiver well-
2 being and senior care.
3 B. The report shall include recommendations for expanding,
4 modifying, or continuing the programs based on its performance and
5 stakeholder feedback.
6 SECTION 9. This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.
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8 60-1-12212 TJ 01/15/25
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Req. No. 12212 Page 6Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.