This bill restricts eligibility for state tuition aid grants for incarcerated individuals by prohibiting awards to those currently in correctional facilities who are enrolled in programs primarily focused on virtual learning. Additionally, it limits grant eligibility to incarcerated people who are within five years of their expected release date. These changes directly affect inmates seeking financial assistance for education while serving their sentences and the administrators of state-funded tuition programs. The legislation aims to narrow the scope of who can receive these grants while incarcerated, emphasizing proximity to release and the format of the educational program.
This Oklahoma law requires all school districts to implement suicide awareness and drug abuse prevention policies for their staff. Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, employees must receive training on these topics within their first year of employment and then at least once every five years, using materials provided free of charge by the state. The bill also grants school personnel immunity from legal liability or disciplinary action when they act in good faith to report threats, provide emergency assistance, or share information about student safety with parents and authorities. Additionally, districts are authorized to offer suicide prevention training to students in grades seven through twelve and may partner with youth services agencies for further support.
This Oklahoma bill updates the state's rules for how quickly criminal trials must begin and establishes a system for courts to review delays. It requires judges to automatically schedule a hearing if a person held in jail is not tried within nine months or if someone on bail is not tried within 18 months. During these hearings, the court will examine specific reasons for delays, such as the defendant's actions, unavailability of witnesses, or court resource issues. If the court determines the state has not acted with due diligence and no valid reason exists for the delay, the charges must be dismissed. The law also clarifies when the trial clock restarts after a mistrial or appeal and sets a schedule for courts to continue monitoring pending cases.
This bill modifies the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program by eliminating the requirement that applicants must have attended school during the previous year. The change directly affects students with disabilities who are eligible for the scholarship but may have gaps in their school attendance due to their specific needs. By removing this attendance rule, the program allows a broader range of qualified students to apply for financial assistance without meeting the prior year's enrollment condition. This adjustment streamlines the application process to better accommodate the diverse circumstances of students with disabilities.
This bill amends Oklahoma law to extend the statute of limitations for prosecuting nonconsensual sharing of private sexual images from twelve to twenty years. It specifically targets individuals who disseminate such images without consent, allowing prosecutors to bring charges within this new timeframe. The change also makes the extended deadline apply retroactively to cases that occurred before the law was updated.
This bill moves two specific offices from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to the State Department of Health: the Office of Client Advocacy and the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The transfer includes all physical assets, financial records, pending legal matters, and administrative rules currently held by these offices. Regarding staff, the law allows for personnel to move between agencies only if they voluntarily agree in writing, ensuring they keep their current pay grade, salary, and all accrued benefits. Additionally, the legislation updates various state statutes to reflect this organizational change and clarifies language within existing laws.
This bill updates Oklahoma laws regarding penalties for entering commercial businesses without permission. It specifically targets individuals who enter areas of a business commonly reserved for staff or clearly marked with "No Trespassing" signs. A first-time violation is classified as a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. However, a second or subsequent offense for the same type of entry is elevated to a felony, carrying a potential sentence of up to two years in state prison or a fine of up to $1,000. The changes take effect on November 1, 2024.
This bill modifies Oklahoma's personnel laws to allow low job performance evaluations to be considered when deciding which state employees to lay off during workforce reductions. It also clarifies that these layoffs cannot be used as disciplinary actions and requires agencies to provide outplacement assistance and employment counseling to affected workers. Additionally, the legislation updates rules for mandatory furloughs and cost-saving measures during legislative recesses, while repealing previous statutes related to voluntary buyout benefits.
This bill amends Oklahoma's medical marijuana regulations to clarify how business licenses are transferred when ownership changes. It extends the time allowed for transferring a license from three days to one week and increases the required waiting period for new applicants from thirty days to sixty days. Additionally, the bill reduces the time needed to renew a business license from ninety days to sixty days and requires renewal applications to be submitted at least four months before the current license expires. These changes aim to streamline administrative processes for medical marijuana businesses while maintaining oversight by the state authority.
This bill creates the Oklahoma Survivors' Act, which allows district attorneys to file a motion to overturn a criminal conviction if there is clear and convincing evidence that the defendant did not commit the crime. Under this new provision, the district court would have the authority to hear and decide these motions at any time, regardless of when the original conviction occurred. The legislation aims to provide a formal mechanism for correcting wrongful convictions based on proof of innocence.
This bill amends Oklahoma's pesticide applicator licensing laws to clarify requirements for those who apply chemicals to their own property versus those who work professionally. It mandates that anyone acting as a commercial or private applicator must hold a valid state license, except when treating their own land. A key provision requires individuals seeking an aerial pesticide license to submit proof of valid pilot certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and allows the state board to conduct background checks on applicants and pilots. Additionally, the bill stipulates that each business location needs its own license and prohibits issuing licenses to anyone currently holding only a temporary certification. These changes are set to take effect on November 1, 2024.
This bill, known as the Oklahoma Opportunity Scholarship Act, creates a new scholarship program designed to help students with intellectual disabilities attend state colleges and technology centers. To qualify, applicants must be Oklahoma residents, U.S. citizens or legal residents, recent high school graduates, and enrolled in specific programs that integrate them with nondisabled peers. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition at these institutions, provided the student maintains satisfactory academic progress and does not face long-term suspensions or expulsion. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are responsible for managing the program, setting eligibility rules, and distributing funds from the state's Higher Learning Access Trust Fund.
