This bill mandates the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to request an exemption from specific federal regulations concerning Medicaid home- and community-based services. Specifically, it seeks to exempt providers in rural counties, defined as those with populations of 60,000 or fewer, from the requirements of 42 C.F.R., Section 441.301(c)(1)(vi). This exemption would allow these providers to offer case management services and develop person-centered plans for their clients.

Additionally, the bill requires the Authority to implement conflict of interest protections for the exempted providers, ensuring compliance with the federal regulations regarding the separation of entity and provider functions. The new law is set to be codified as Section 1018.1 of Title 56 in the Oklahoma Statutes and will take effect on November 1, 2026.