Bill No. 1687, titled the "Uniform Health Care Decisions Act of 2025," seeks to create a structured framework for advance health care directives in Oklahoma. It introduces definitions for essential terms such as "advance health care directive," "agent," and "default surrogate," while outlining the presumption of capacity for individuals making health care decisions and the process for challenging this presumption. The bill also establishes powers of attorney for health care, including specific provisions for advance mental health care directives, and clarifies the responsibilities of health care professionals in documenting and revoking directives. Notably, it allows health care decisions made by agents and default surrogates to be effective without judicial approval, ensuring timely care aligned with individuals' preferences.

Additionally, the legislation introduces new sections to the Oklahoma Statutes that detail the roles and responsibilities of agents and default surrogates, including their fiduciary duties and conditions for making health care decisions. It specifies that a guardian can only refuse to comply with an advance health care directive if ordered by a court, and decisions made by an appointed agent will take precedence over those made by a guardian unless directed otherwise. The bill also includes protections for health care professionals acting in good faith, prohibits falsifying advance health care directives, and establishes causes of action for individuals harmed by such actions. It repeals outdated sections of current law and is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 63-3101.1, 63-3101.2, 63-3101.3, 63-3101.4, 63-3101.5, 63-3101.6, 63-3101.7, 63-3101.8, 63-3101.9, 63-3101.10, 63-3101.11, 63-3101.12, 63-3101.13, 63-3101.14, 63-3101.15, 63-3101.16
Floor (House): 63-3101.1, 63-3101.2, 63-3101.3, 63-3101.4, 63-3101.5, 63-3101.6, 63-3101.7, 63-3101.8, 63-3101.9, 63-3101.10, 63-3101.11, 63-3101.12, 63-3101.13, 63-3101.14, 63-3101.15, 63-3101.16
Engrossed: 63-3101.1, 63-3101.2, 63-3101.3, 63-3101.4, 63-3101.5, 63-3101.6, 63-3101.7, 63-3101.8, 63-3101.9, 63-3101.10, 63-3101.11, 63-3101.12, 63-3101.13, 63-3101.14, 63-3101.15, 63-3101.16