OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation modernizing Oklahoma’s laws surrounding advance health care directives and medical decision-making to give patients more control over their care has been signed into law.

House Bill 1687, authored by Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, and Sen. Paul Rosino, R-Oklahoma City, creates the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act of 2025.

"House Bill 1687 is the first major update to Oklahoma’s advance directive laws since the 1990s, and this legislation has been the result of a long and thoughtful process," Roe said. “We began this work during the 2025 legislative session and continued working closely with Oklahoma for Life and many other stakeholders to make sure the language was compassionate, clear and carefully crafted for families facing very difficult medical decisions. I am proud to see this legislation now signed into law."

The measure updates state law related to health care decision-making, advance directives and surrogate decision-making for individuals who may lose the ability to communicate or make medical decisions for themselves. It will allows individuals to create advance health care directives, including directives specifically addressing mental health care, and outlines processes for appointing health care agents and default surrogates.

The law establishes a presumption that individuals have the capacity to make or revoke health care decisions unless a court determines otherwise or the presumption is properly rebutted by qualified medical professionals.

HB1687 includes safeguards to protect patients’ rights while providing clearer guidance for families, health care providers and courts. The law clarifies that food and liquids necessary to sustain life may not be withheld unless specifically directed by the patient in their advance directive. It will also provide legal protections for health care professionals and institutions acting in good faith under the provisions of the measure.

Roe says HB1687 will give patients greater control over their care and will help provide certainty for loved ones and providers during emotionally challenging situations.

"This law is about protecting the dignity, wishes and rights of patients while also giving families and medical professionals clearer direction during some of life’s most difficult moments," Roe said. "As a nurse practitioner, I have seen firsthand how important it is for people to have their voices respected in health care decisions, and this legislation helps ensure those protections are in place."

The measure takes effect July 1, 2027