Education

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 364: Schools; prohibiting use of corporal punishment on any student identified with a disability.

SB 364 prohibits Oklahoma public schools from using physical punishment (corporal punishment) on students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, as defined by state education criteria. It removes any prior allowance for waivers and requires that any exception must be explicitly documented in a student's individualized education program (IEP) under federal special education law. The law directly affects students with significant cognitive disabilities in Oklahoma schools, ensuring they cannot be subjected to physical punishment without specific IEP authorization. It takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits corporal punishment for students with disabilities, protecting vulnerable learners and aligning with special education safeguards under federal law.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Oklahoma · House May 7, 2025

HB 1601: Schools; creating the Advancing Rights for Caregiving, Health, and Extended Recovery (Maternity Leave Protection for Teachers) Act; effective date.

HB 1601, the "ARCHER Act," extends maternity leave protections for eligible public school teachers in Oklahoma. It amends existing sick leave rules (70 O.S. § 6-104.8) to require school districts to provide extended leave for teachers who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past year, specifically covering pregnancy-related needs beyond standard sick leave. The bill creates a dedicated exception to current sick leave policies, ensuring teachers can take leave for maternity without losing pay, aligning with federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) standards. This directly affects full-time classroom teachers in public school districts who meet the employment threshold. The law became effective after Governor approval on May 6, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends maternity leave for public school teachers, protecting employment during pregnancy-related needs and strengthening educator welfare within K-12 education policy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates extended leave for pregnancy-related health needs, protecting teachers' access to healthcare during maternity without penalty, aligning with patient rights protection.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends maternity leave protections for teachers, creating dedicated leave beyond standard sick leave for pregnancy needs, strengthening employment standards and workers' rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 7, 2025

SB 942: Education; prohibiting certain discrimination on certain basis against students or employees.

SB 942 is a clarifying amendment to an existing education discrimination bill. It adds a specific provision (subsection G) explicitly stating that the bill's provisions do not restrict the implementation, funding, or administration of Indian education programs or services established under federal or state law. This amendment directly affects existing Indian education programs by ensuring they remain protected from potential unintended restrictions under the broader anti-discrimination law. The amendment was added to the bill on February 24, 2025, and the bill became law after the governor approved it on May 6, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly protects Indian education programs' funding/administration from unintended restrictions under anti-discrimination law, ensuring continued support for these specific educational services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 758: Schools; providing conditions under which virtual instruction may count toward certain required instructional hours or days.

SB 758 limits when Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools can count virtual instruction toward required annual instructional hours (1,080 hours or 180 days). Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, schools generally cannot count days when school is closed with virtual instruction toward these requirements. The bill allows counting up to two days (or 12 hours) per year only if the Superintendent of Public Instruction approves the school's virtual instruction plan. This change directly affects how districts report instructional time and must comply with state guidelines for virtual learning.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts virtual instruction from counting toward required hours, limiting school flexibility in meeting instructional requirements.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1243: Career and technology education; creating the National Guard CareerTech Assistance Act; tuition assistance; repayment amount; hardship waiver; creating fund; effective date; emergency.

HB 1243 creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program, providing tuition assistance to eligible Oklahoma National Guard members enrolled in state technology center programs that lead to certification or licensure. The program covers tuition costs (up to a three-year limit) for members who agree to remain in service for 24 months after completing their training and maintain academic requirements like a 2.0 GPA. Members who fail to meet service or academic obligations must repay assistance calculated as a monthly amount based on the total assistance received, though hardship waivers are available. The program is funded through a new revolving fund in the state treasury, supported by annual state appropriations, and administered by the State Board of Career and Technology Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state fund for tuition assistance, directly allocating budget resources to fund National Guard education programs without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition assistance fund for National Guard members in career tech programs, expanding educational access and funding for vocational training.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides tuition assistance for National Guard members in technology certification programs, funding workforce development in technology fields.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tuition assistance for National Guard members' career training, directly supporting veterans' education and employment benefits through state-funded program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 2019: Revenue and taxation; income tax credit; aerospace industry; effective date.

HB 2019 amends Oklahoma's tax code to create two new tax credits for the aerospace industry. It allows Oklahoma aerospace employers to claim a credit equal to 5-10% of wages paid to employees with Oklahoma degrees (up to $12,500 annually), and employees to claim up to $5,000 annually in tax credits for tuition reimbursement (capped at $5,000 total over five years). Both credits apply only to the first five years of employment and cannot reduce tax liability below zero. The bill extends these credits through 2032 (previously 2026) and takes effect November 1, 2025. It directly affects Oklahoma aerospace companies and their employees who meet the education and employment criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates targeted tax credits for aerospace employers and employees, reducing tax liability and aligning with tax relief indicators for workforce development.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition reimbursement tax credits (up to $5,000 annually, capped at $5,000 total over five years) for employees, directly supporting higher education access.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1849: Children; sunset; Teacher Recruitment and Retention Program; Partnership for School Readiness; childcare facilities employee; income exemption; notice to the Department of Human Services; conditions; codification; effective date.

HB 1849 creates a temporary Teacher Recruitment and Retention Program (expiring November 1, 2028) administered by Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness. It directly affects childcare facility employees by exempting their household income from eligibility calculations for the Child Care Subsidy Program, waiving copayments for qualifying workers, and requiring childcare providers to notify the Department of Human Services within 30 days if an employee leaves. The bill ensures childcare workers qualify for subsidies without income limits, while maintaining all other standard eligibility requirements for the subsidy program.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Teacher Recruitment and Retention Program with income exemptions for childcare workers, directly supporting educator workforce stability and access to early childhood education.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExempts childcare workers' income from subsidy calculations and waives copayments, directly expanding financial benefits for this workforce.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1540: Appropriations; Oklahoma Workforce Education Partnership Revolving Fund; effective date; emergency.

HB 1540 creates the Oklahoma Workforce Education Partnership Revolving Fund within the State Treasury to support career and technology education programs. The fund, managed by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (ODCTE), will use state appropriations, gifts, and donations to expand career tech education based on critical occupation data. It operates as a reusable fund (replenished by incoming revenue) until July 1, 2030, with expenditures requiring state treasurer warrants. The bill directly affects ODCTE's ability to fund workforce training programs, aiming to align education with local job market needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state fund for career tech education via appropriations, expanding essential workforce programs through government spending, directly advancing budget allocation for public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates fund to expand career tech education programs, increasing funding and access for workforce training within education system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds career tech education programs to align with critical occupations, enhancing workforce development and employment opportunities through dedicated state funding.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds career and technology education programs to develop workforce skills in tech fields, directly advancing technology sector workforce development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1092: Revenue and taxation; Oklahoma Trade School Tuition Tax Credit; income tax credit; trade schools; effective date.

HB 1092 creates a $7,500 annual tax credit for Oklahoma residents who complete qualifying trade or vocational programs (such as HVAC, plumbing, or welding training) at approved Oklahoma schools. The credit, available for taxable years starting January 1, 2026, offsets income tax liability up to the actual tuition cost paid (whichever is lower), but cannot reduce tax below zero. Unused portions may carry forward for up to three years, and the credit can only be claimed once per individual after receiving program certification. This policy directly supports Oklahoma residents pursuing in-demand technical careers by reducing the cost of vocational education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates targeted income tax credit for trade school tuition, reducing tax burden for qualifying residents - aligns with tax relief for middle/lower income education expenses.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates tax credit for trade school tuition, increasing access to vocational higher education and reducing student costs for approved programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 2247: Special education; requiring State Department of Education develop certain standards; codification; effective date.

HB 2247 requires Oklahoma's State Department of Education to develop specific standards implementing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act's (IDEA) "least restrictive environment" principle. This ensures students with disabilities are not unnecessarily excluded from regular classrooms in public schools. The bill mandates these standards be created by the Department and becomes effective November 1, 2025. It directly affects students with special needs and the State Department of Education, focusing solely on establishing procedural requirements for classroom inclusion under IDEA.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates standards to implement IDEA's 'least restrictive environment,' ensuring students with disabilities access regular classrooms, advancing educational access and inclusion for special needs students.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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