SB 2045: Schools; Grow Your Own Educator Program; eligible school district; funds; alternative certification pathway. Emergency. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from the House version to the Senate version, resulting in significant substantive changes to physical education and recess requirements. The Senate version removes the mandate prohibiting the use of recess as a form of discipline, which was present in the House version. Additionally, the Senate version adds new requirements for physical activity breaks for younger students and expands the curriculum standards to include specific goals for self-management, cooperation, and fair play.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding student rights was narrowed by removing the explicit prohibition on using recess as punishment, while the scope of required physical activity was expanded for elementary students through new mandates for activity breaks and updated curriculum goals.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the explicit prohibition preventing schools from depriving students of recess as a form of discipline.

Added a requirement for the State Board to disseminate information on physical education benefits and strongly encourage districts to provide physical education and a twenty-minute daily recess for grades K-5.

Added new curriculum standards requiring instruction to teach self-management, movement skills, cooperation, fair play, and responsible participation.

Modified the definition and requirements for recess by allowing it to be broken into segments and removing the strict prohibition on using it as punishment.

House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill → Floor (House) · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill was amended to reflect its final passage on the House floor, updating the header to indicate it is the 'Floor Version' rather than a committee substitute. Substantively, the text of the physical education and recess requirements remains unchanged from the committee version, with no new policy, funding, or eligibility changes introduced in this specific diff.

Scope change

The bill's scope and applicability remain unchanged; the diff only reflects the procedural transition from committee to the House floor.

TECHNICAL

Updated the document header to change 'Committee Substitute' to 'House of Representatives - Floor Version' and adjusted page numbering and footer text to reflect the final floor version.

Enrolled (final version) → House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to shift focus from a teacher recruitment grant program to mandatory recess and physical education requirements. The original text provided funding for teachers pursuing alternative certification, while the new version mandates 60 minutes of weekly physical activity for K-5 students and 30 minutes of daily recess, prohibiting the use of recess as punishment.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed from a financial assistance program for specific school districts to a universal accreditation requirement for all public elementary schools regarding student recess and physical activity.

FISCAL

Eliminated the 'Grow Your Own Educator Program' which provided matching fund grants for tuition or loan repayment assistance to teachers pursuing alternative certification.

REQUIREMENT

Established a mandatory requirement for public elementary schools to provide 60 minutes of weekly physical education or exercise for students in grades K-5.

Required public elementary schools to provide at least 30 minutes of daily recess, which may be broken into segments.

DEFINITION

Defined 'daily recess' as scheduled breaks for unstructured free play or physical activity that must occur outdoors when permitted.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a prohibition against depriving students of recess as a form of discipline or punishment.

SCOPE

Changed the bill's subject from teacher training funding to physical education program requirements and accreditation conditions.

Engrossed → Enrolled (final version) · 5 edits · May 12, 2026

MODERATE

The bill completely changed subject matter from physical education and recess requirements to a new 'Grow Your Own Educator' program. It removed all mandates for daily recess and physical activity minutes, replacing them with a grant program that provides tuition and loan repayment assistance to teachers pursuing alternative certification degrees.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted entirely from K-12 student physical activity requirements to a workforce development program for school district employees.

REQUIREMENT

All requirements for daily recess, physical education minutes, and outdoor activity were removed.

FISCAL

A new matching fund grant program was created to provide financial assistance to teachers taking alternative certification courses.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility was defined for school districts that offer tuition or loan repayment assistance to employees pursuing specific teacher certification pathways.

TIMELINE

The effective date was changed from July 1, 2026, to immediately upon passage due to an emergency declaration.

DEFINITION

Definitions related to 'daily recess' and physical education curriculum standards were removed.

Amended And Engrossed → Engrossed · 6 edits · May 5, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was reorganized to remove a separate 'Grow Your Own Educator' funding program and instead focus entirely on physical education and recess requirements for elementary schools. The changes clarify that recess must occur outdoors when possible, mandate at least 30 minutes of daily recess for students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, and require physical education curricula to be sequential and inclusive of students with disabilities.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from a dual focus on teacher recruitment funding and physical education to a singular, detailed focus on physical education and recess mandates for public elementary schools.

FISCAL

Removed the 'Grow Your Own Educator' program, which previously provided matching fund grants and tuition assistance for teachers pursuing alternative certification.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific requirement for public elementary schools to provide at least 30 minutes of daily recess in addition to the existing 60 minutes of physical education.

Expanded physical education requirements to explicitly include fitness breaks, wellness education, and activities suitable for students with disabilities or chronic health problems.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'daily recess' as a scheduled break for unstructured free play or physical activity that must occur outdoors when weather permits.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the act from May 2026 to July 1, 2026.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed reporting requirements related to the teacher recruitment program, such as submitting progress reports on tuition assistance recipients.

Introduced → Amended And Engrossed · 5 edits · May 5, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was completely rewritten to replace a physical education and recess mandate with a new 'Grow Your Own Educator' program. The original text, which required schools to provide daily recess and physical activity, was entirely removed. The new text establishes a grant program to help school districts pay for teacher training and tuition reimbursement.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted entirely from student health requirements (recess and PE) to teacher recruitment and retention funding.

REQUIREMENT

All requirements for daily recess, physical education minutes, and outdoor activity for students were deleted.

New requirements were added for school districts to submit applications and annual reports regarding employee training progress.

FISCAL

A new 'Grow Your Own Educator Program' was created to provide matching fund grants to school districts.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility was added for school districts that offer tuition or loan repayment assistance to employees pursuing teacher certification.

SCOPE

The subject matter changed from student physical activity standards to teacher education grant administration.

Schools; Grow Your Own Educator Program; eligible school district; funds; alternative certification pathway. Emergency.

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