OKLAHOMA CITY – A few weeks ago, I highlighted the interim studies approved by the state Senate. This week, I want to cover some from the House of Representatives.

Interim studies are officially filed reviews of specific policies which lawmakers wish to request a hearing to delve further into the issue. These studies must be approved by the leadership of the body in which they are submitted. They are held during the time in which legislators are not in session, usually over the fall months.

In total, the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) is following or assisting with more than 20 of the 154 House studies that were filed. Here are some which stand out:

• 25-001 by Rep. Woolley (R-Broken Arrow) – deals with custodial issues involving Oklahoma Human Services cases.

• 25-003 by Rep. Archer (R-Elk City) – increasing reimbursement rate for families who are foster/bridge parents.

• 25-022 by Rep. Pogemiller (D-OKC) problems resulting in chronic absenteeism from school.

• 25-035 by Reps. Gise (R-OKC) and Pae (R-Lawton) – needs faced by state juvenile detention facilities.

• 25-036 by Reps. Gise (R-OKC), Pae (RLawton), and Turner (R-Kinta) – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program policies.

• 25-047 by Reps. Turner (R-Kinta), Gise (R-OKC), and Norwood (R-Owasso) – policies governing the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline.

• 25-051 by Reps. Pae (R-Lawton) and Gise (R-OKC) – support for Child Advocacy Centers (CACs do forensic interviews of children who have been involved in a horrific situation. These interviews are often admissible in court to help convict perpetrators. OICA is not a CAC as we are involved with overall children’s policies).

• 25-053 by Rep. Pae (R-Lawton) – youth homelessness.

• 25-055 by Reps. Menz (D-Norman), Waldron (D-Tulsa), and Pogemiller (D-OKC) childhood hunger.

• 25-063 by Rep. Ranson (D-Stillwater) – establishing a Department of Early Childhood in Oklahoma.

• 25-070 by Rep. Timmons (D-OKC) childcare accessibility and DHS Star Rating, affordable daycare for working families.

• 25-073 by Rep. Timmons (D-OKC)education reading readiness.

• 25-078 by Rep. Schreiber (D-Tulsa) and Sen. Gollihare (RKellyville) (joint study between both bodies) – strengthening victim services in Oklahoma.

• 25-079 by Rep. Bashore (R-Miami) mitigation of the effects of fentanyl.

• 25-102 by Reps. Tedford (R-Tulsa) and Harris (R-Edmond) joint equal shared custody with divorced parents.

• 25-105 by Rep. Pittman (D-OKC) food insecurity and agricultural solutions.

• 25-109 by Reps. Lay (R-Tulsa) and Adams (R-Duncan) – improving foster home environments.

• 25-110 by Rep. Adams (R-Duncan) – children’s court reforms.

• 25-111 by Reps. Williams (R-Seminole), Sneed (R-Fort Gibson), and Stinson (R-Edmond) – rural healthcare access (Medicare/ Medicaid).

• 25-115 by Reps. Williams (R-Seminole), Hardin (R-Stilwell), and Kelley (R-Yukon) – life without parole sentencing review.

• 25-116 by Rep. Munson (D-OKC) – human trafficking and victim’s services.

• 25-126 by Reps. Chapman (R-Broken Arrow) and Stinson (REdmond) – federal Medicaid cuts to states.

• 25-130 by Rep. West (R-OKC) – publicprivate partnership for Family Resource Centers.

• 25-135 by Rep. Alonso-Sandoval (DOKC) – creation of an Oklahoma Youth Advisory Council.

We were pleased to see so many submissions which directly deal with children and families. When it comes to those studies dealing with children, OICA is a resource to assist lawmakers by providing state and local data, along with best practices, for potential legislation, along with connecting advocates to help them pursue the best policies..

If you would like to review the list of the House studies, you can see them at https:// former.okhouse.gov/ Committees/ShowInterimStudies. aspx and Senate studies are at https://oksenate.gov/ publications/interimstudies? Year=2025 for your review.

If you would like to be notified of when the study will occur, you can contact the office of the lawmaker who requested the study at their Capitol office. You can connect with lawmakers at https://www.okhouse. gov/ or https://www. oksenate.gov/ through their individual pages.