Oklahoma § 63-2061 - Short title – Oklahoma Certified Healthy Schools Act

§ 63-2061. Short title – Oklahoma Certified Healthy Schools Act

A. This section shall be known and may be cited as the

"Oklahoma Certified Healthy Schools Act".

B. The State Department of Health shall establish and maintain

a program for the voluntary certification of schools that promotes

wellness, encourages the adoption of healthy behaviors, and

establishes safe and supportive environments.

C. The program shall recognize three levels of certification as

follows:

1. Basic certification;

2. Merit certification; and

3. Excellence certification.

D. The Department shall develop criteria for certification,

which, at a minimum, may include the following for each level of

certification:

1. Basic certification: The school shall meet at least two

criteria in each of the components of the Center for Disease Control

and Prevention's Coordinated School Health Program model;

2. Merit certification: The school shall meet at least three

criteria in each of the components of the Center for Disease Control

and Prevention's Coordinated School Health Program model; and

3. Excellence certification: The school shall meet at least

four criteria in each of the components of the Center for Disease

Control and Prevention's Coordinated School Health Program model.

E. Subject to available funding specifically appropriated for

this purpose, the Department may provide a monetary reward to

schools that earn certification as follows:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 63. Public Health and Safety

1. Basic certification: Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars

($2,500.00);

2. Merit certification: Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00); and

3. Excellence certification: Ten Thousand Dollars

($10,000.00).

F. Schools that obtain a reward pursuant to subsection E of

this section shall use the funds for the enhancement of wellness

activities and the promotion of healthy environments. Such

activities may include, but are not limited to:

1. Improving playgrounds;

2. Purchasing sports equipment; and

3. Equipping school kitchens for healthy cooking.

G. The Department shall develop an online application form for

schools seeking to become an Oklahoma Certified Healthy School.

H. The State Board of Health, giving consideration to the

recommendations of the Advancement of Wellness Advisory Council

created in Section 44 of this act, may promulgate rules as necessary

to implement the provisions of this section.

Added by Laws 2010, c. 217, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2010. Amended by Laws

2013, c. 229, § 74, eff. Nov. 1, 2013.

§63-2063a. Short title — Oklahoma Community Health Worker Act.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Oklahoma

Community Health Worker Act”.

Added by Laws 2025, c. 349, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2025.

§63-2063b. Definitions.

As used in the Oklahoma Community Health Worker Act:

1. “Certified community health worker” means a community health

worker to whom the State Department of Health has issued a

certificate to practice as a certified community health worker in

this state;

2. “Community health worker” means a frontline health worker

who has a shared understanding of and is a trusted member of the

community being served; and

3. “Department” means the State Department of Health.

Added by Laws 2025, c. 349, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2025.

§63-2063c. Community health workers — Voluntary certification.

A. The State Department of Health shall establish a certificate

for community health workers. This certification shall be

voluntary.

B. A certified community health worker may:

1. Serve as a liaison between health and social services and

the community to facilitate access to services, to improve the

quality of service delivery, and to maximize the efficiency of

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 63. Public Health and Safety

service delivery by coordinating available resources and leveraging

partnerships with private, nonprofit, or faith-based organizations;

2. Assist individuals in attaining employment, education,

occupational training, or other means of supporting employment and

promoting self-sufficiency;

3. Assist in identifying and communicating gaps in current

community and health care resources; and

4. Build individual and community capacity by increasing health

knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as

outreach, community education, coaching, mentoring, social support,

and advocacy, including efforts within faith-based settings.

C. In carrying out the functions described in paragraph 1 of

subsection B of this section, community health workers shall

emphasize available resources of private, nonprofit, or faith-based

organizations, and shall not rely solely on public assistance

programs for delivery of services.

Added by Laws 2025, c. 349, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 2025.

§63-2063d. Eligibility.

To be eligible for voluntary community health worker

certification, an individual shall:

1. Be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident;

2. Be a resident of this state;

3. Be at least eighteen (18) years of age; and

4. Meet the minimum qualifications for certification

promulgated by the State Commissioner of Health under Section 5 of

this act.

Added by Laws 2025, c. 349, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 2025.

§63-2063e. Promulgation of rules.

The State Commissioner of Health shall promulgate rules

necessary to implement this act including, but not limited to, rules

that:

1. Adopt a set of standards for the approval of certified

community health worker initial coursework or curriculum;

2. Establish examination administration requirements for the

State Department of Health or one or more designees;

3. Define minimum qualifications for applicants to be

certified; provided, however, the applicant shall be exempt from any

educational, training, or examination requirements if the applicant

has provided evidence to the State Department of Health of work

experience as a community health worker demonstrating a minimum of

one thousand (1,000) practical hours and a recommendation from a

supervising provider;

4. Establish the criteria for granting, renewing, denying,

suspending, and revoking a certificate to uphold health standards

and safety;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 63. Public Health and Safety

5. Prescribe fees for the certified community health worker

examination, initial certification, and certification renewal; and

6. Implement oversight procedures to ensure compliance with the

provisions of this act, including a complaint and disciplinary

process for violations.

Added by Laws 2025, c. 349, § 5, eff. Nov. 1, 2025.