HB 2188 requires Oklahoma public schools to conduct standardized hearing screenings for students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, second, third, fifth, seventh, and eleventh grades (or equivalent age groups) using specific equipment and methods. It mandates screenings by approved providers listed on a statewide registry, with results documented in written reports for school districts and parents. Exemptions apply if students provide recent hearing test certifications from licensed audiologists within six months. The bill establishes clear protocols for screening frequency, equipment standards (e.g., pure tone audiometers), and parent notification when follow-up exams are needed.
HB 1946 prohibits Oklahoma school districts from entering into teacher contracts lasting less than one full school year, except for teachers hired after the school year has begun. This applies to all certified teachers in public school districts and requires contracts to cover the entire school year, with exceptions only for late-hired staff whose contracts must extend to the end of the current school year. The bill also establishes that teachers not formally rehired by June 15 automatically receive continuing contracts for the following school year. These provisions aim to ensure stable employment terms for teachers and prevent short-term contracts that could disrupt school operations.
HB 1971, the "Accountability, Transparency, and Protection for Exploited Youth Act," requires staff, volunteers, and contractors working in Oklahoma juvenile facilities (including state-run centers, group homes, and county detention facilities) to immediately report any suspected sexual misconduct or exploitation involving juveniles to both their facility supervisor and the Office of Juvenile System Oversight. Failure to report carries criminal penalties (up to 2 years in jail and $5,000 fine) and civil liability for negligence, including damages up to $50,000 per victim for entities like the Office of Juvenile Affairs or contracted facilities. The bill also mandates annual staff training on identifying and reporting misconduct, requires the Oversight Committee to submit annual reports to the legislature, and creates limited exceptions to juvenile record confidentiality to allow access to relevant files for victims, their legal representatives, or law enforcement investigating sexual violence. This law directly affects facility staff, oversight bodies, and juvenile victims in Oklahoma’s juvenile justice system.
HB 1538 creates a protocol for Oklahoma schools to support students at risk of being held back a grade. It requires schools to offer hearing and vision screenings, family assessments, and optional psychiatric or therapy evaluations (with parental consent) for these students. These services must be provided by qualified personnel and are subject to available funding. The law applies to all Oklahoma public schools and takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 1141, titled "Marriage; Child Protection Act of 2025," proposes to remove an exception allowing certain actions without court authorization in marriage-related provisions. The bill specifically deletes language requiring court authorization for specific exceptions and removes subsections (a) and (b) that contained these provisions. If enacted, this would eliminate the requirement for court approval in the scenarios previously covered by the deleted subsections. The bill was withdrawn from committees in February 2025 and is currently inactive in the legislative process.
This bill amends the Oklahoma Children's Code to update legal definitions for terms such as abuse, abandonment, and child, while clarifying that parents retain the right to use ordinary physical discipline like spanking. It authorizes courts to establish a public guardianship for minors in specific situations and outlines the process for filing motions, serving notice, and making necessary findings. Additionally, the legislation grants courts the authority to order visitation and sets requirements for such orders, ensuring these changes apply to the state's child welfare system.
This bill establishes the Research, Education, and Government Operations Protection Act of 2024 to regulate foreign influence on Oklahoma's state agencies, K-12 schools, and higher education institutions. It requires these entities to disclose past gifts and contracts from countries designated as hostile or of particular concern by the U.S. Secretary of State and mandates approval for future agreements with such nations. The legislation also creates a designated research integrity office to screen applicants for research positions, restricts the acceptance of certain grants by students and scholars, and prohibits cultural exchange agreements with countries of concern. Additionally, the act directs state universities to prioritize partnerships with allied nations, requires annual reporting on foreign travel to restricted countries, and establishes penalties for failing to comply with these new disclosure and approval requirements.
This bill amends Oklahoma's existing Right to Shop Act, renaming it the Consumer Health Choice Empowerment Act and updating specific definitions related to insurance costs and provider networks. It requires licensed insurance carriers to offer a voluntary program that rewards policyholders with cash or credit when they choose out-of-network doctors who charge less than the average rate for that service. To qualify for these rewards, patients must agree to pay an amount lower than the carrier's standard network rate, while the insurer ensures the patient's out-of-pocket costs do not exceed their in-network limits. Carriers must publish lists of eligible services and providers, file program details with the state, and give enrollees at least 25% of the savings generated by their choice.
This bill establishes the Oklahoma Local Food for Schools program, which is designed to help school districts buy food from local producers and meat processors. Under the new law, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry will reimburse school districts for the costs of these local food purchases to encourage partnerships between schools and local businesses. The bill also creates a permanent revolving fund in the state treasury to manage and provide money for these reimbursements, with the program set to begin on November 1, 2024.
This bill creates a new Public Access Counselor Unit within the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office to help resolve disputes over public records requests. When a public body denies or delays access to records, an individual can file a written review request within 30 days, and the Attorney General must issue a binding decision within 60 days. The law also allows for advisory opinions to guide public bodies on compliance and grants immunity to agencies that follow the Attorney General's advice, while prohibiting the Attorney General's internal work papers from being disclosed as public records.
This bill establishes the Oklahoma PFAS Act to create a regulatory framework for managing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. It requires the Department of Environmental Quality to develop rules for handling PFAS waste and sets up a fee schedule for its disposal. The legislation also defines specific liability protections for certain entities, such as water systems and airports, provided they manage these materials according to legal standards and without gross negligence.
HB 2375 amends the Oklahoma Administrative Workers' Compensation Act to clarify definitions and update terminology for workers' compensation claims. The bill primarily affects injured employees, their families, insurance carriers, and the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Court of Existing Claims by providing precise meanings for terms such as "actually dependent," "case manager," and "compensable injury." Key provisions include specifying that a case manager must be a registered nurse with specific certifications and defining which injuries qualify for benefits, such as those caused by accidents or occupational diseases, while excluding injuries from intentional acts or recreational activities. Additionally, the legislation outlines who qualifies as a child for benefit purposes and establishes rules for certified workplace medical plans. These changes aim to standardize language and procedures within the state's workers' compensation system.
