OklahomaOklahoma law sets fines for hospice patient solicitation
Starting November 1, 2026, Oklahoma hospices and their workers face possible fines and state discipline for knowingly or intentionally soliciting patients or offering benefits to secure them.
What it does
Upon conviction, a hospice or its worker, contractor, or agent who knowingly or intentionally solicits patients, or pays or offers a benefit to secure them, faces a $500 to $2,000 misdemeanor fine. Solicitation includes recruiting facility residents already enrolled in another hospice.
The State Department of Health may discipline a hospice or its workers for violating the solicitation rule, including with administrative fines. It may also ask a court to stop a violation or possible violation.
Argument forFines for knowingly or intentionally recruiting patients may discourage hospice providers from trying to persuade facility residents to leave their current hospice.
Argument againstHospices may be more cautious about contacting patients in facilities, which could make it harder for patients to learn about other care options.
More detail
A hospice or its employee, contractor, or agent who knowingly or intentionally solicits patients, or pays or offers a benefit to secure or solicit them, is subject to a misdemeanor fine upon conviction. Solicitation includes a hospice or its worker starting contact with patients in a state-licensed facility to recruit them after they have enrolled in another hospice. The text allows certain advertising and payments for advertising or marketing services when the payments are set in advance, match fair market value, and are not based on referrals or business generated. The text excludes certain licensed insurers when they provide hospice services under a health plan for which they are the payor. These provisions take effect November 1, 2026.
The State Department of Health may discipline a hospice or its employee, contractor, or agent for a violation, and may ask a court to stop a violation or possible violation. These enforcement provisions apply to violations of the solicitation rule by a hospice or its employees, contractors, or agents. Discipline may include administrative fines under another section of state law. The department may seek a court order in addition to other legal actions or remedies. These provisions take effect November 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 13Approved by Governor Kevin Stitt 05/12/2026Became Law
- May 6Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6Signed, returned to Senate
- May 6Enrolled, to House
- May 6Referred for enrollment
- May 6Signed, returned to Senate
- May 6Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 87 Nays: 0Major
- May 6General Order
- Apr 16CR; Do Pass Health and Human Services Oversight CommitteeMinor
- Apr 15
- Vote recorded Health And Human Services Oversight Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8Coauthored by Representative(s) Waldron
- Vote recorded Public Health Committee: Do Pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 8Policy recommendation to the Health and Human Services Oversight committee; Do Pass Public HealthMinor
- Mar 31Referred to Public HealthMinor
- Mar 31Second Reading referred to Health and Human Services OversightMinor
- Feb 17First ReadingMinor
- Feb 17Engrossed to HousePassed House
- Feb 16Referred for engrossment
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 16Measure passed: Ayes: 48 Nays: 0Passed Senate
- Feb 16General Order, Considered
- Feb 11Placed on General Order
- Feb 10Coauthored by Representative Roe (principal House author)
- Feb 9Reported Do Pass Health and Human Services committee; CR filedMinor
- Vote recorded Health & Human Services. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 3Second Reading referred to Health and Human ServicesMinor
- Feb 2Authored by Senator Coleman
- Feb 2First ReadingIntroduced
Healthcare