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Bill

SB 397

State Board of Behavioral Heath Licensure; extending sunset date. Effective date. Emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Micheal Bergstrom and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma bill extends the State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure sunset date to prevent automatic dissolution and maintain professional oversight.

CR; Do Pass Administrative Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 397

Legislative bill overview

SB 397 extends the sunset date for Oklahoma's State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure, preventing the board from automatically dissolving at its current expiration date. The bill includes an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect immediately upon passage rather than waiting for the standard effective date.

Why is this important

The State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure oversees licensing and regulation of behavioral health professionals in Oklahoma. Without this extension, the board would cease to exist, potentially creating gaps in professional oversight, consumer protection, and regulatory continuity for mental health and substance abuse treatment providers. Extending the sunset date ensures ongoing licensure operations without service interruption.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of review: Whether the board's current regulatory framework is effective and whether this extension should include performance evaluations or reforms
  • Emergency clause justification: Whether the "emergency" designation is warranted or if standard legislative timelines would suffice
  • Broader behavioral health policy: Whether this extension should be paired with substantive changes to licensing requirements or board composition rather than simple continuation

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

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