House approves supplemental for mental health payments to CCBHCs and vendors

The Oklahoma House passed House Bill 27 86, a supplemental funding request to the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services intended to complete the fiscal 2025 budget and allow the department to make long-past-due payments to Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and other vendors.

Representative Stinson presented the joint committee report and explained the supplemental is intended to allow the department to complete its fiscal year 2025 obligations. The measure drew no recorded debate in the transcript and was advanced and passed on a roll call recorded as 81 aye and 7 nay. Representative Simpson moved final passage; the clerk reported the tally and the Speaker declared the bill passed and later declared the emergency passed as well.

Supporters said the supplemental would ensure the department can fulfill payments to CCBHCs and vendors; no detailed funding breakdowns were included on the floor beyond the bill description. The bill was adopted without objection to its advancement and passed with the emergency designation in the House.