All Roll Calls
Yes: 182 • No: 0
OklahomaSB 1562Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenate
Hospice; specifying certain penalties; defining term. Effective date.
Sponsored By: Bill Coleman (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
24/7 hospice access and family support
Beginning November 1, 2026, hospice help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Hospices keep a bereavement program for families. The unit of care is the patient and the family. Teams must coordinate between inpatient and home care for smooth transitions. Records and inspection reports are private and shared only with written consent. Hospices cannot force any belief system on patients or families.
Hospice admission only by doctor order
Beginning November 1, 2026, a hospice admission must be ordered by an Oklahoma‑licensed physician. The patient and family must make an expressed request and give informed consent. Hospices keep admission rules that reflect the patient’s and family’s wishes, the attending doctor’s role, and the diagnosis and prognosis. Hospices must also coordinate services with the patient’s attending physician.
Hospice patient solicitation ban and fines
Beginning November 1, 2026, hospices and their staff cannot knowingly solicit patients or pay for referrals. A violation is a misdemeanor with a $500 to $2,000 fine, and the State Health Department can also discipline the hospice or seek a court order. “Solicit” includes contacting patients in licensed facilities to recruit them from another hospice. Honest ads are allowed, and marketing payments are allowed only if set in advance, at fair market value, and not tied to referrals. State rules match federal anti‑kickback law, and licensed insurers acting as the plan payor are exempt.
Stronger hospice staffing and oversight
Beginning November 1, 2026, each hospice keeps a quality‑assurance program with service reviews and chart audits. A qualified administrator oversees the program. Each team includes a physician, a registered nurse, and a licensed social worker or counselor. A registered nurse serves as the patient care coordinator for palliative and supportive care.
Tighter hospice contracting and accountability
Beginning November 1, 2026, most hospice services must be provided directly by the licensed hospice. Hospices may contract for some services only if they keep planning, coordinating, and prescribing authority in the contract. A hospice cannot contract with any provider or hospice that had a conditional license in the last 18 months.
Flexibility in hospice aide staffing
Beginning November 1, 2026, a hospice does not have to employ a certified home health aide if it employs a certified nurse aide. This gives staffing flexibility while other team and RN coordinator requirements still apply.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Bill Coleman
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Cynthia Roe
Republican • House
Waldron
Affiliation unavailable
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 87 • No: 0
House vote • 4/15/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 12 • No: 0
House vote • 4/15/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 12 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 6 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/16/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 48 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/9/2026
Committee vote: Health & Human Services
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor 05/12/2026
5/13/2026SenateSent to Governor
5/6/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/6/2026HouseEnrolled, to House
5/6/2026SenateReferred for enrollment
5/6/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/6/2026HouseThird Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 87 Nays: 0
5/6/2026HouseGeneral Order
5/6/2026HouseCR; Do Pass Health and Human Services Oversight Committee
4/16/2026HouseCoauthored by Representative(s) Waldron
4/8/2026HousePolicy recommendation to the Health and Human Services Oversight committee; Do Pass Public Health
4/8/2026HouseReferred to Public Health
3/31/2026HouseSecond Reading referred to Health and Human Services Oversight
3/31/2026HouseFirst Reading
2/17/2026HouseEngrossed to House
2/17/2026SenateReferred for engrossment
2/16/2026SenateMeasure passed: Ayes: 48 Nays: 0
2/16/2026SenateGeneral Order, Considered
2/16/2026SenatePlaced on General Order
2/11/2026SenateCoauthored by Representative Roe (principal House author)
2/10/2026SenateReported Do Pass Health and Human Services committee; CR filed
2/9/2026SenateSecond Reading referred to Health and Human Services
2/3/2026SenateAuthored by Senator Coleman
2/2/2026SenateFirst Reading
2/2/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/6/2026
Floor (House)
4/20/2026
House Committee Report
4/16/2026
House Policy Committee Report
4/8/2026
Engrossed
2/17/2026
Floor (Senate)
2/10/2026
Senate Committee Report
2/9/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
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