OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill aiming to clarify and strengthen guidelines surrounding an individual’s capacity to make health care decisions passed the House floor with a 87-6 vote.
House Bill 1687, authored by Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay, establishes the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act of 2025, which would ensure that health care determinations are made fairly and with appropriate oversight.
“This legislation strikes an important balance between personal autonomy and necessary protections,” Roe said. “It streamlines the health care decision-making process, empowering individuals to plan their future care while preventing abuse and ensuring that those making medical decisions on their behalf are qualified and trustworthy."
The bill would prevent family members, cohabitants or surrogates from solely making such determinations to safeguard against potential conflicts of interest. Under HB1687, individuals are presumed to have the capacity to make or revoke health care decisions unless a court determines otherwise. The presumption can be rebutted only by a responsible health care professional’s examination, documented in a signed record.
“This is about protecting Oklahomans’ rights to make their own health care choices while establishing a clear process for determining capacity when necessary,” Roe said. “It ensures decisions about a person’s health are made with transparency, accountability and proper medical evaluation—not by individuals who may have a conflict of interest.”
HB1687 allows people to document their medical preferences and choose someone to make health care decisions for them through a power of attorney. If no agent is appointed, the bill sets up a clear process for selecting a default decision-maker while ensuring they act in the person’s best interests.
The bill also ensures that out-of-state advance health care directives are valid if they meet Oklahoma’s standards.
HB1687 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.