OklahomaPolice pension law allows psychologist certificates starting November 2026
Effective November 1, 2026, the law allows board-selected psychologists to certify mental disabilities for Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System members seeking disability benefits.
What it does
Starting November 1, 2026, Oklahoma police pension applicants can use a board-selected psychologist to certify a mental disability. The pension board may still require other evidence.
The law provides up to six months of continued salary for covered officers undergoing necessary treatment, confined to a hospital bed or home, and needing medical or nursing care.
Argument forAccepting a board-selected psychologist’s certificate could give officers another way to document a mental disability when seeking pension benefits.
Argument againstThe necessary-treatment requirement could exclude officers from continued salary when they are confined and need care but are not undergoing treatment.
More detail
The pension board accepts a certificate from an Oklahoma-licensed physician or, for mental disability applications, a psychologist selected by the board. This covers Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System members. The law also defines mental health specialists as Oklahoma-licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, and specified counseling and behavioral health professionals. Applicants must also submit a sworn disability statement if able. The board may require other evidence before awarding disability benefits. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
The law requires continued salary when a police pension system member meets its treatment, confinement, and care requirements. This rule covers Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System members being considered for disability benefits. The member must be undergoing necessary treatment, be confined to a hospital bed or home, and need medical care or professional nursing because of the sickness or disability. The law takes effect November 1, 2026. Continued salary under this rule lasts no more than six months.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 12Becomes law without Governor's signature 05/12/2026Latest
- May 5Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- May 5Enrolled measure signed, returned to House
- May 5Enrolled, signed, to Senate
- May 4Referred for enrollment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- May 4Engrossed measure signed, returned to HouseMajor
- May 4Measure passed: Ayes: 47 Nays: 0Major
- May 4General Order, Considered
- Apr 9Placed on General Order
- Apr 7Reported Do Pass Retirement and Government Resources committee; CR filedMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 1Second Reading referred to Retirement and Government ResourcesMinor
- Mar 25First ReadingMinor
- Mar 25Engrossed, signed, to SenatePassed Senate
- Mar 24Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 24Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 91 Nays: 2Passed House
- Mar 24Coauthored by Representative(s) Hefner
- Mar 24General Order
- Mar 5Coauthored by Representative(s) Deck
- Vote recorded Government Oversight Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5CR; Do Pass Government Oversight CommitteeMinor
- Feb 11Authored by Senator Frix (principal Senate author)
- Feb 11Policy recommendation to the Government Oversight committee; Do Pass Banking, Financial Services and PensionsMinor
- Feb 10
- Vote recorded Banking, Financial Services And Pensions Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Referred to Banking, Financial Services and PensionsMinor
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to Government OversightMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Representative George
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
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