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HB 1397

Telemedicine for mental health; consent for medical treatment of minor; exceptions; penalties for violations; effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Melissa Provenzano

Oklahoma bill expanding telemedicine mental health services while establishing new minor consent procedures and treatment exceptions with provider penalties for violations.

Second Reading referred to Rules
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Bill Summary · HB 1397

Legislative bill overview

HB 1397 expands telemedicine access for mental health services in Oklahoma while establishing new consent procedures for medical treatment of minors. The bill creates exceptions to existing consent requirements and establishes penalties for violations of the new framework.

Why is this important

Mental health service accessibility remains a significant public health challenge, particularly in rural Oklahoma areas where providers are scarce. Clear telemedicine regulations and minor consent rules could improve treatment access while raising questions about parental authority, privacy, and appropriate guardian involvement in mental healthcare decisions.

Potential points of contention

  • Parental consent vs. minor autonomy: The balance between minors' privacy rights and parental notification/consent in mental health treatment is historically contentious, with stakeholders disagreeing on appropriate age thresholds and circumstance exceptions
  • Telemedicine quality standards: Concerns about whether remote mental health services maintain equivalent clinical standards, especially for crisis situations or complex diagnoses requiring in-person assessment
  • Scope of "exceptions": The bill's undefined exceptions to consent requirements could be interpreted broadly or narrowly, creating uncertainty for providers and potentially inconsistent application

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

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