§ 63-1-132. Oklahoma Health Information Exchange Trust.

A.  The state expressly approves the creation of a public trust to be named the “Oklahoma Health Information Exchange Trust”, also known as “OHIET”, of which the state shall be the beneficiary; provided, however, such approval shall be contingent upon satisfaction of the following conditions:

1.  Finalizing the declaration of trust;

2.  Adoption of the declaration of trust by an official action of the trustees of OHIET; and

3.  Submission of OHIET for acceptance of the beneficial interest and approval as required by Section 177 of Title 60 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

B.  The approved declaration of trust shall:

1.  Specify that OHIET shall be created as a public trust pursuant to Section 176 et seq. of Title 60 of the Oklahoma Statutes and shall have the same rights, responsibilities, and attributes as any public trust created under such laws;

2.  Specify that the primary purpose of OHIET shall be to:

a.serve as Oklahoma’s “Qualified State-Designated Entity” for purposes of any grants awarded pursuant to 42 U.S.C., Section 300jj-33 for purposes of facilitating and expanding the electronic movement and use of health information among organizations according to nationally recognized standards, and

b.promote, develop, and sustain electronic health information exchanges at the state level; and

3.  To the extent required by law, specify the adoption of bylaws and rules for the due and orderly administration and regulation of affairs of OHIET, which shall require approval in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act.

C.  The approved declaration of trust shall also require the trustees of OHIET to establish an advisory board which shall make recommendations to the trustees.  The advisory board shall include in its membership representatives of:

1.  Health care providers, including providers that provide services to low income and underserved populations;

2.  Health plans;

3.  Patient or consumer organizations that represent the population to be served;

4.  Health information technology vendors;

5.  Health care purchasers and employers;

6.  Public health agencies;

7.  Health professions schools, universities, and colleges;

8.  Clinical researchers;

9.  Other users of health information technology, such as the support and clerical staff of providers and others involved in the care and care coordination of patients; and

10.  Such other entities as may be determined appropriate by the Secretary of Health and Human Services pursuant to 42 U.S.C., Section 300jj-33.

D.  OHIET shall have seven (7) trustees, three of which shall be appointed by the Governor, two of which shall be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and two of which shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

E.  The terms of the trustees shall be as follows:

1.  Of the trustees first appointed, one member appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year, one member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be appointed for a term of three (3) years, one member appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term of four (4) years, one member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall be appointed for a term of five (5) years, one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall be appointed for a term of (5) years, and one member appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for a term of five (5) years; and

2.  At the expiration of the term of each member and of each succeeding member, the entity who originally appointed such member shall appoint a successor who shall serve for a term of five (5) years.  Whenever a vacancy on the trust occurs, the entity who originally appointed such member shall fill the same by appointment and the appointee shall hold office during the unexpired term.  Each member shall hold office until the member’s successor has been appointed and qualified.

F.  The provisions of the Governmental Tort Claims Act shall apply to OHIET as a state-beneficiary public trust created pursuant to state law.  OHIET shall also be immune from liability relating to the accuracy or completeness of any information submitted by a third party to any health information exchange operated by OHIET.

Added by Laws 2010, c. 388, § 2, emerg. eff. June 7, 2010.