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SB 391

Opioid overdose fatalities; dissolving Overdose Fatality Review Board; providing for Attorney General oversight. Effective date. Emergency.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Micheal Bergstrom and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma dissolves its Overdose Fatality Review Board, transferring opioid death investigation oversight to the Attorney General's office instead of a dedicated public health board.

Becomes law without Governor's signature 05/14/2025
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 391

Legislative bill overview

SB 391 dissolves Oklahoma's existing Overdose Fatality Review Board and transfers its oversight responsibilities to the Attorney General's office. The bill was enacted as emergency legislation without the Governor's signature on May 14, 2025.

Why is this important

Overdose Fatality Review Boards typically analyze patterns in opioid deaths to identify systemic issues and inform public health policy. Consolidating this function under the Attorney General—a law enforcement-focused office rather than a public health agency—represents a significant shift in how the state approaches opioid overdose data collection and intervention strategy.

Potential points of contention

  • Jurisdictional mismatch: Attorney General offices prioritize criminal enforcement rather than public health prevention, potentially changing the board's focus from systemic improvement to prosecution and accountability
  • Data accessibility concerns: Moving oversight from a dedicated board to a law enforcement agency may restrict public access to fatality data, as AG offices typically maintain greater confidentiality in investigative matters
  • Reduced interdisciplinary coordination: Dedicated review boards typically include medical examiners, public health officials, and addiction specialists; consolidation under AG oversight may reduce this collaborative approach to understanding overdose causes
  • Emergency passage: The bill's emergency designation bypassed normal procedural review and the Governor's explicit approval, limiting public debate on the structural change

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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