HB 1831 Summary

• Establishes the Oklahoma Community Health Workers Act creating a voluntary certification program administered by the State Department of Health.

• Defines certified community health workers as frontline health workers who are trusted members of their communities and may serve as liaisons between health/social services and communities, identify resource gaps, and build community health capacity.

• Requires applicants to be U.S. legal residents, Oklahoma residents, at least 18 years old, and have minimum 1,000 practical hours of work experience with a supervising provider recommendation to be certified.

• Directs the State Commissioner of Health to promulgate rules establishing curriculum standards, examination requirements, minimum qualifications, and criteria for granting, renewing, denying, suspending, or revoking certificates.

• Authorizes the Commissioner to establish partnerships with faith-based organizations for community health worker training and certification programs, and to prescribe examination and certification fees.

• Effective date: November 1, 2025.