State Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, secured committee approval last week for legislation that would allow certain ivermectin products intended for human use to be sold over the counter in Oklahoma pharmacies, marking one of several measures advancing at the Capitol addressing health care access, foster care services and public safety.

House Bill 4124 cleared the House Public Health Committee on a 5-1 vote Wednesday and now be- comes eligible for con‑sideration in the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee.

The proposal would authorize pharmacists to provide ivermec‑tin suitable for human use without requiring a prescription from a li‑censed health care pro‑fessional. The measure also includes language shielding pharmacies from criminal or civil li‑ability for supplying the medication under the law.

Fetgatter said the leg‑islation stems from con‑stituent concerns and aims to expand access in rural areas where ob‑taining medical care can require lengthy travel.

“Many people throughout Oklahoma and the nation take iv‑ermectin for a variety of ailments,” Fetgatter said. “And while it can be prescribed by doctors, many currently choose to purchase this product over the counter at the local farm supply store. We’re just asking that pharmacies be able to offer this the same way.”

Fetgatter, who rep‑resents House District 16 covering portions of Muskogee, Okmulgee and Tulsa counties, said the bill would provide residents with greater discretion in accessing products they believe are beneficial, partic‑ularly in communities with limited health care providers.

If ultimately approved, HB 4124 would establish a new pathway for phar‑macy distribution of the medication, though additional legislative re‑view remains before the measure could become law.

— Foster care services extension advances In the Senate, lead‑ership also moved for‑ward legislation focused on support for young adults transitioning from foster care.

Senate Bill 1806, au‑thored by Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, passed com‑mittee review and would allow eligible individ‑uals receiving services through the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to voluntari‑ly remain in foster care programs until age 21.

The measure also cre‑ates an opportunity for some young adults who previously aged out of foster care to re-enter services if they are un‑der 21 and meet eligibil‑ity criteria.

Paxton said the pro‑posal reflects recogni‑tion that many young people exiting foster care continue to need stability and support as they enter adulthood.

“For many of these young adults, turning 18 doesn’t mean they sud‑denly have the support system needed to suc‑ceed,” Paxton said. “This bill ensures they have access to stability as they enter young adulthood.”

Under SB 1806, partic‑ipants ages 18-21 could qualify for extend‑ed services if they are completing secondary education, enrolled in college or career tech‑nology programs, par‑ticipating in workforce preparation initiatives, working at least 80 hours per month or un‑able to participate due to documented medical conditions.

Participation would remain voluntary, and the measure is now eli‑gible for consideration on the Senate floor.

— Bill targeting impersonation of law enforcement passes Senate Lawmakers also ad‑vanced legislation aimed at strengthening penalties for individu‑als who falsely present themselves as law en‑forcement officers.

The Oklahoma Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 1936, au‑thored by Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, in a 48-0 vote Monday.

The bill would elevate impersonating a law en‑forcement officer from a misdemeanor to a felo‑ny offense, carrying po‑tential penalties of up to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

Hall said the proposal was prompted by recent incidents involving in‑dividuals posing as offi‑cers, raising safety con‑cerns statewide.

“Oklahomans need to be able to trust that the person pulling them over or knocking on their door in the middle of the night truly is a law enforcement officer,” Hall said.

The measure now moves to the House for consideration, where it is co-authored by House Appropriations Chair‑man Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon.

— Housing stability measures targeting student outcomes progress Meanwhile, House lawmakers advanced two additional propos‑als focused on reducing student displacement and improving educa‑tional outcomes linked to housing instability.

House Bill 3386, au‑thored by Rep. Amanda Clinton, D-Tulsa, would require mediation through Oklahoma’s Early Settlement Medi‑ation Program before eviction proceedings in‑volving households with minor children move forward.

Clinton said the bill takes a practical ap‑proach to addressing chronic absenteeism by focusing on housing stability without alter‑ing eviction timelines or imposing additional costs on landlords or tenants.

“Chronic absenteeism is closely linked with lower test scores and poor educational out‑comes,” Clinton said. “If we are going to improve education in Oklahoma, it starts with stabilizing housing for kids.”

The measure now ad‑vances to the Judiciary and Public Safety Over‑sight Committee.

A companion initia‑tive, House Bill 3698 by Rep. Ellen Pogemi‑ller, D-Oklahoma City, would establish a pilot program providing legal representation for indi‑gent families with pre-K through 12th grade stu‑dents facing eviction in selected metro and rural communities.

Pogemiller said re‑search shows housing instability has immedi‑ate and long-term im‑pacts on student atten‑dance and performance, underscoring the need for supportive interven‑tions.

The proposal cleared the House Appropria‑tions and Budget Educa‑tion Subcommittee and now moves to the full House Appropriations and Budget Committee.