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Patient Bill of Rights advances to Oklahoma Senate

Oklahoma State Capitol Building
Kyle Phillips
/
For Oklahoma Voice
Oklahoma State Capitol Building

A bill of rights for medical patients in Oklahoma has been in the works since 2023. House Bill 1600, called the Lori Brand Patient Bill of Rights Act of 2025, passed the House Floor with a vote of 84-10 on Tuesday.

The bill lists 19 rights for medical patients, including the right to receive visitors and the right to receive as much information as needed to give informed consent for treatment.

Following the vote, the bill’s author, Republican Rep. Emily Gise, recognized Gerald Brand for his work in creating this bill in honor of his late wife, whose death was made more difficult for her family due to lack of communication from the hospital.

“From his pain, his family’s pain, he’s found purpose. And I’m very very grateful to serve you, Mr. Brand,” she said.

A similar bill also passed the House Floor in 2023 — it went on to pass the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, but it was not heard on the Senate Floor.


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Hannah France joined KGOU as a reporter in 2021, shortly after earning a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri. In 2023, Hannah was the first place recipient of the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists' Radio Outstanding Reporter Portfolio award. Hannah reports on a variety of topics including criminal justice, housing, and labor rights and is dedicated to educating and empowering Oklahomans through community storytelling.
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