House Bill No. 1831, titled the "Oklahoma Community Health Workers Act," aims to establish a framework for the certification and regulation of community health workers in Oklahoma. The bill defines key terms related to community health workers, including "certified community health worker" and "core competencies," and mandates the State Department of Health to create a voluntary certification process. The bill outlines the roles and responsibilities of certified community health workers, which include serving as liaisons between health services and the community, identifying gaps in resources, and enhancing community health knowledge through various outreach activities.

Additionally, the bill sets forth eligibility criteria for individuals seeking certification, such as being a legal resident of the U.S. and Oklahoma, being at least 18 years old, and having relevant work experience. The State Commissioner of Health is tasked with promulgating rules to establish standards for certification, including coursework, examination requirements, and criteria for maintaining certification. The bill also encourages partnerships with faith-based organizations to improve health outreach and service delivery in underserved communities. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.