House Bill 3888 was introduced during the 2026 Oklahoma legislative session and proposed a significant restructuring of the state’s behavioral health licensing system.
The bill would transfer regulatory authority for The Oklahoma Board of Behavioral Health Licensure and the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS), thereby eliminating the independent boards.
Under the bill the licensing and disciplinary responsibilities for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors, and Licensed Behavioral Practioners would be moved to ODMHSAS.
HB 3888 was referred to the House Rules Committee on February 3, 2026. However, the bill was not scheduled for a hearing before the committee deadline for this legislative session-Thursday, March 5, 2026.
As a result, the bill did not advance during this session.
Another legislative development that may affect the long-term outlook for these boards is a floor amendment filed by Representative Mike Osburn (R-Edmond) to HB 3320 on March 10, 2026.
Representative Osburn is the Chair of the House Rules Committee
and therefore decides if and when a bill will be heard in the Rules Committee.
HB 3320 would eliminate the "sunset" provision for many independent boards including the OBBHL and the OBLADC. HB 3320 unanimously passed the Administrative Rules Committee on February 10, 2026.
While Representative Osburn's amendment does not directly eliminate any mental health boards, its changes to HB 3320 would make it easier for future legislatures to consider restructuring or eliminating boards at any time through new legislation.
The Osburn amendment was filed late—identified in legislative records as “untimely filed.” Under House rules, amendments submitted after the filing deadline require special permission from the chamber before they can be considered.
To follow this bill and other legislation affecting Oklahoma mental health professionals go to
https://www.oklahomacounselinginstitute.org/legislation
This article was amended on March 17, 2026 to add that Representative Mike Osburn is Chair of the Oklahoma House Rules Committee.
