1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1
2 2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
2
3 HOUSE BILL 3798 By: Hefner, McEntire, and Roe
3 of the House
4
4 and
5
5 Young of the Senate
6
6
7
7 AS INTRODUCED
8
8 An Act relating to community health workers; creating
9 the Oklahoma Community Health Worker Act; defining
9 terms; directing establishment of certificate; making
10 certification voluntary; listing powers of community
10 health worker; requiring and authorizing promulgation
11 of certain rules; directing establishment of certain
11 fees; providing for codification; and providing an
12 effective date.
12
13
13
14
14
15 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
15
16 SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
16
17 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.1 of Title 59, unless there
17
18 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
18
19 This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma
19
20 Community Health Worker Act".
20
21 SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
21
22 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.2 of Title 59, unless there
22
23 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
23
24 As used in the Oklahoma Community Health Worker Act:
24
Req. No. 9016 Page 1
 1 1. "Certified community health worker" means a community health
1
2 worker to whom the State Department of Health has issued a
2
3 certificate to practice as a certified community health worker in
3
4 this state;
4
5 2. "Community health worker" means a frontline public health
5
6 worker who has a shared understanding of and is a trusted member in
6
7 the community being served; and
7
8 3. "Department" means the State Department of Health.
8
9 SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
9
10 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.3 of Title 59, unless there
10
11 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
11
12 A. The State Department of Health shall establish a certificate
12
13 for community health workers. This certification shall be
13
14 voluntary.
14
15 B. A certified community health worker may:
15
16 1. Serve as a liaison between health and social services and
16
17 the community to facilitate access to services and improve the
17
18 quality and cultural competence of service delivery;
18
19 2. Assist in identifying and communicating gaps in current
19
20 community and health care resources; and
20
21 3. Build individual and community capacity by increasing health
21
22 knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as
22
23 outreach, community education, coaching, mentoring, social support,
23
24 and advocacy.
24
Req. No. 9016 Page 2
 1 SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
1
2 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1280.4 of Title 59, unless there
2
3 is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
3
4 A. The State Commissioner of Health shall promulgate rules to:
4
5 1. Adopt a set of standards for the approval of certified
5
6 community health worker initial coursework or curriculum;
6
7 2. Establish examination administration requirements for the
7
8 Department or one or more designees;
8
9 3. Define minimum qualifications for applicants to be
9
10 certified; and
10
11 4. Establish the criteria for granting, denying, suspending,
11
12 and revoking a certificate to protect public health and safety.
12
13 B. The Commissioner may also promulgate rules necessary for the
13
14 proper administration and enforcement of the Oklahoma Community
14
15 Health Worker Act and which allow for reciprocity agreements
15
16 including, but not limited to, with the Indian Health Service,
16
17 Tribal Contract or Compact Health Centers, Urban Indian Health
17
18 Centers, and tribal health systems.
18
19 C. The Commissioner shall prescribe fees for the certified
19
20 community health worker examination, initial certification, and
20
21 certification renewal.
21
22 SECTION 5. This act shall become effective November 1, 2024.
22
23
23
24 59-2-9016 TJ 01/09/24
24
Req. No. 9016 Page 3