This bill amends Section 152 of The Governmental Tort Claims Act in Oklahoma, focusing on the definitions used within the Act. Key modifications include the clarification of terms such as "employee," "claimant," and "political subdivision." Notably, the definition of "employee" is expanded to include independent contractors and their employees when engaged in specific activities related to emergency assessments and detentions. Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions for "community health care provider" and "charitable health care provider," which specify the criteria for individuals providing health care services without compensation to medically indigent persons.

The bill also makes several deletions and insertions to refine the language and scope of the definitions. For instance, it removes references to certain public trusts and their subsidiaries while adding new provisions that clarify the status of various health care providers and entities under the Act. The changes aim to enhance the clarity and applicability of the law, ensuring that it accurately reflects the current landscape of governmental tort claims. The effective date for these amendments is set for November 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 51-152