Committee adopts bill to expand DHS provider-search transparency for home- and community-based services

Representative Clinton presented House Bill 3,390 to require the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to update and maintain a centralized provider-search website for home- and community-based services that would publish information such as ratings, inspection reports, substantiated complaints and administrator information, aiming to improve transparency and consumer decision-making.

The measure includes an estimated fiscal impact of $244,000, roughly half of which the presenter said would come from federal funds and about $126,000 from the FY2027 state budget. Representative Clinton said she will continue to work with DHS and the Department of Health to try to reduce costs and explore lower-cost alternatives.

Vice Chair Gies asked whether a formal rating system for HCB programs currently exists. Representative Clinton responded, “No, not that I'm aware of,” and suggested the committee could scale back a ratings request and instead publish inspection reports and substantiated complaints to reduce implementation costs.

A committee member moved a do-pass recommendation and it was seconded. The committee recorded 4 ayes and 0 nays and the chair declared House Bill 3,390 passed out of committee. Representative Clinton thanked members and said she looks forward to continuing work on the bill.

The bill will proceed from committee as passed; the author indicated intent to negotiate technical and fiscal tweaks with DHS before further action.