HB 2513 Summary

• Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services must designate an individual to implement requirements of the consent decree in Briggs et al v. Friesen et al, Case No. 23-CV-00081 (N.D. Okla. Mar. 10, 2025)

• Designee must hold M.D., D.O., Ph.D., or Psy.D. degree with specialty certification in Forensic Psychiatry or Forensic Psychology, knowledge of Oklahoma criminal justice and competency systems, and experience performing competency evaluations and restoration within the last 5 years

• Designee has authority to design and manage the Forensic Services section or division, hiring and firing authority, ultimate supervisory authority over all forensic staff, and responsibility for all forensic policies, credentialing, training, and quality standards

• Designee reports to the Commissioner but answers to the Oklahoma Legislature as requested, meets privately with federally approved monitors, controls all appropriated dollars for the consent decree, and has full access to Department data systems and IT support

• Act takes effect immediately upon passage and approval as an emergency measure