HB 1980, the Oklahoma Higher Education Fair Admissions Act, prohibits public colleges and universities from asking prospective online students about their past criminal records if those students will not reside on campus during their enrollment. The bill also bans institutions from inquiring about an applicant's juvenile behavioral history. These restrictions apply specifically to students enrolled exclusively in online programs, with the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education responsible for enforcement and potential penalties for violations, including fines or loss of state funding. The law aims to remove barriers for certain students seeking higher education access.
HB 1304 requires Oklahoma public high schools to offer a dedicated one-year computer science curriculum as part of graduation requirements for students in grades 8-12. It mandates that schools include computer science courses (covering programming, hardware, and business applications) as an approved option to fulfill the "two units of world language or computer technology" requirement for graduation. The bill specifies these courses must be approved for college admission and exclude basic keyboarding or typing courses. This directly affects all Oklahoma public high school students meeting graduation standards under the 2024-2025 school year curriculum rules. The policy change updates existing graduation requirements to explicitly include computer science as a valid pathway.
HB 2395 expands Oklahoma's early childhood education programs to include 3-year-olds, requiring school districts to offer voluntary half-day (2.5 hours) or full-day (6 hours) programs for children aged 3-5. It mandates certified early childhood educators in all such programs, sets developmentally appropriate learning standards (not academic), and requires private providers contracting with schools to meet certification and salary standards. Families of eligible children in districts without programs may transfer to districts with capacity, with funding tied to State Aid calculations. The bill directly affects school districts, early childhood providers, and families of 3- to 5-year-olds.
HB 1394 amends Oklahoma's teacher certification rules to exempt graduates of Oklahoma Commission-approved teacher preparation programs from passing the competency exam for standard certification. It also allows non-native English speakers employed in foreign language immersion programs to take the exam in their native language, with restrictions limiting such teachers to those specific programs. Additionally, the bill creates an exception for teachers with advanced degrees in substantially comparable fields, allowing them to bypass certain subject-area exams. These changes directly affect teacher candidates, school districts hiring educators, and the Oklahoma Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability.
HB 1523 would create a pilot program allowing Oklahoma public schools to offer virtual mental health services through telehealth. The State Department of Education must develop this program, with schools able to opt in by applying. Key provisions include requiring parental consent before services, limiting initial funding to $25,000, and defining "health benefit plan" per existing state law. The pilot aims to improve student mental health access without mandating participation. (Note: The bill was withdrawn from committee on February 19, 2025.)
HB 2831 requires high school students attending physical campuses to take concurrent enrollment college courses in person at their school building or a nearby college campus, eliminating virtual attendance for these classes. It applies directly to Oklahoma public and charter school students enrolled in concurrent enrollment programs. The bill also maintains tuition waivers for eligible seniors (18 credits) and juniors (9 credits) and mandates annual reports tracking participation and outcomes. Key provisions focus on requiring physical attendance for concurrent enrollment classes while preserving existing financial support and reporting requirements. This policy change specifically alters how students access college courses while enrolled in traditional high schools.
HB 2371 proposes funding pilot programs for school districts to use AI software on school-issued devices as a safety tool, without direct student surveillance. The bill requires the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the State Department of Education to fund AI programs that analyze device activity (via existing web filtering systems) to assess student safety, readiness to learn, and well-being, using data already collected for compliance. It creates a dedicated revolving fund in the state treasury to cover costs like software, equipment, and personnel for these voluntary pilot programs, which can be implemented at the district or school level. The bill would take effect November 1, 2025, if passed.
HB 1281 creates a $35,000 signing bonus program for classroom teachers and school counselors returning to Oklahoma public schools after leaving the state. To qualify, applicants must have at least three years of prior experience, not have worked in an Oklahoma public school in the past year, and agree to teach full-time for five years. The State Department of Education verifies eligibility before payment and requires annual confirmation of continued employment. If false information is found or the five-year commitment isn't met, participants must repay the bonus or a pro-rated portion. The bonus is excluded from salary calculations for retirement benefits and minimum pay schedules.
HB 1305 regulates student athletes' name, image, and likeness (NIL) activities at Oklahoma postsecondary institutions. It requires schools to provide mandatory financial literacy education (either a 5-hour workshop or a credit course covering budgeting, taxes, contracts, and debt management) before athletes can engage in NIL deals, and prohibits institutions from charging athletes for related financial services. The bill also restricts athletes from signing NIL contracts that conflict with school policies or harm the institution's reputation, and bans promotional content in financial education. These requirements apply directly to student athletes participating in intercollegiate sports at Oklahoma colleges and universities.
HB 1184 raises the minimum ACT composite score required for Oklahoma high school graduates to qualify for the state's Higher Learning Access Program tuition assistance from 21 to 22. This change directly affects students seeking first-time enrollment in Oklahoma public or private colleges, as they must now achieve a 22 ACT score (along with maintaining a 2.5 GPA and meeting other existing eligibility criteria). The bill amends Section 2603 of Oklahoma law to update this academic threshold for program participation. It does not alter other requirements like residency, financial need, or graduation timeframe. The policy change applies to students graduating within the previous three years.
