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Legislative Updates

Legislative Issues

September is Recovery Month
Contact your Legislators to Create Awareness about Recovery.

OSASA recognizes Representative Gus Blackwell as 2008 Legislator of the Year.

Blackwell was instrumental in the successful passage of SB 1640, the Freedom of Choice bill. The bill, effective November 2008, increases access to treatment by expanding the pool of insurance approved providers to include appropriately licensed, master level professionals. Without his leadership and influence as speaker pro tempore, the bill would have failed. Thank you to Representative Blackwell for serving as a leading advocate for Oklahomans affected by substance abuse, giving hope and help to communities, families and agencies.

Legislative Update, July 14, 2008

It is important to take action right now even though the legislature is not in session. We cannot afford to wait. This is a prime time to make contact with you legislators as it is an election year. They want to meet you. Here are some helpful tips:

  • Invite your local legislators to tour your facility. Better yet, collaborate with fellow substance abuse services providers in your area and coordinate a tour of several abuse facilities at one time. More voices equal more time.

  • Invite your local legislators to speak at an event you are sponsoring. Consider planning some activities for Recovery Month in September and invite your legislator to participate. You can order and/or download a comprehensive planning guide for Recovery Month by visiting www.recoverymonth.gov

  • Give a local legislator recognition for work done on behalf of substance abuse services by presenting an award. Invite the press to attend the award presentation and/or write a press release about the award. It's good publicity for your agency as well as the legislator.

  • Find out where legislators stand regarding FUNDING for substance abuse services. Most people will be "for" substance abuse services, but are they willing to fund it?

  • Give personal monetary contribution to a legislator that supports funding substance abuse services. This money needs to come from your own pocket, not from the agency as that is not legal. A donation gets the attention of your legislator. Click on link below to download a contributor form that is required for donations of more than $50 to a particular legislator. www.fotizo.net/osasa/documents/contributorstatment.pdf

To find out what is happening in your local senate and house races, please click on link below: www.fotizo.net/osasa/documents/races08.pdf

Accomplishments

  • 2008 Legislative Session: OSASA initiated the Freedom of Choice Bill, SB1640, which increases access to treatment by expanding the pool of insurance approved providers to include appropriately licensed, master level professionals. In partnership with various associations, OSASA successfully lobbied for the passage of this important bill. Additionally, OSASA board members partnered with the Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors Board and its workgroup to develop wording, support, and successfully advocated for the passage of SB2074, the LADC Co-occurring Bill.
  • 2007 Legislative Session -- OSASA successfully broadened language of Bill 1106 which allowed us to contract with the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services to establish a full-time executive director and a permanent office.
  • 2006 Legislative Session - OSASA partnered with ODMHSAS and lobbied for Rate Increases that resulted in $3 Million dollars being appropriated for Rate Increases beginning October 2006.
  • 2005 Legislative Session
    1. Hosted a luncheon for all New State Representatives
    2. Hosted a breakfast for all Senate Staff
    3. Partnered with ODMHSAS in lobbying for an increase in appropriations for Drug Court which resulted in an additional $16 Million for statewide expansion of Drug Courts
  • 2004 Legislative Session
      • Helped ODAPCA pass a landmark bill (HB 2464) that provides for the licensure of drug and alcohol counselors
  • 2003 Legislative Session
      • Successfully lobbied for several pieces of legislation including the passage of HB 1106, which increased the sales tax on 3.2 beer and ear marked the proceeds to go toward increase of services for community based substance abuse agencies.

Legislative Process 2008