HB 3242 requires public schools, public higher education institutions, and domestic violence shelters to designate restrooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters as exclusively for males or females. It prohibits students from sharing sleeping quarters with someone of the opposite sex unless they are family members (e.g., parent, sibling), and mandates single-sex facilities for all shared spaces where undressing occurs. Exceptions include emergencies, maintenance, and coaches entering locker rooms during athletic events under strict conditions (e.g., students fully clothed, accompanied by another adult). Noncompliant schools face a 5% state funding cut, and parents can sue school districts for violations. The law applies to all public K-12 schools, colleges, and shelters operating under state oversight.
HB 4358 limits screen time for prekindergarten through fifth grade public school students to one hour per school day, including all classroom activities using devices like tablets, computers, or smart devices. The law exempts students requiring special education accommodations under IEPs or 504 plans, as well as necessary assistive technology. It applies to all public schools in Oklahoma starting the 2026-2027 school year. The bill defines "screen time" broadly to cover both teacher-directed and student-selected digital activities during school hours.
HB 2978 requires Oklahoma school libraries to select materials based on "community standards" for the population they serve, while explicitly excluding depictions or descriptions of sexually explicit conduct (as defined in Oklahoma law). The bill affects all public school library media programs by changing how they acquire print, digital, and multimedia resources. Key provisions mandate that library collections reflect local community norms for age-appropriate materials, with no inclusion of content meeting the legal definition of sexually explicit conduct. The policy takes effect on November 1, 2026.
HB 3025 modifies Oklahoma school district funding rules for gift, grant, and donation monies. It requires schools to place funds received for building projects (capital expenditures) into a dedicated building fund, not the general fund. For noncapital funds (like operational costs), districts may retain them in the general fund but must wait one year before using them, preventing immediate spending. This affects all Oklahoma public school districts receiving external funds for school operations or construction. The bill clarifies how districts must categorize and manage these funds to ensure proper financial accountability.
HB 3134, the "Keep Accreditation About Academics Act," prohibits accrediting agencies from considering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices when reviewing or renewing accreditation for Oklahoma's public higher education institutions. It requires agencies to stop collecting or using any DEI-related information in accreditation decisions and mandates policies to prevent such data from influencing reviews. Students or employees of affected institutions can sue accrediting agencies for violations, and the Attorney General may enforce the law under anti-discrimination and consumer protection statutes. Violators face triple damages for fees paid by institutions, plus $1,000 per affected student. The law directly affects all Oklahoma public colleges and universities and their accrediting agencies, restricting how accreditation processes address DEI initiatives.
HB 3132 requires Oklahoma public universities to stop using accrediting agencies that have implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices within the past five years. By July 1, 2027, each university must switch to an accreditor without recent DEI practices or report to the legislature if no suitable option exists. Before new accreditation or renewals, universities must select an accreditor that has not used DEI practices in the last five years. The Attorney General can enforce these rules, investigate violations, and void agreements that circumvent the law.
HB 4344 allows the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to reduce funding allocations to public colleges and universities when necessary to cover specific lease payments (under Section 3206.6a of Title 70) or annual obligations (under Section 3980.4 of Title 70). This bill directly affects all 22 institutions in Oklahoma's public higher education system by giving the Regents authority to redirect existing state funds. The key mechanism permits the Regents to adjust annual funding distributions to ensure required lease and obligation payments are made without new appropriations. The bill focuses on administrative flexibility in fund allocation, not new spending or policy changes.
This bill, titled "Mathematics instruction..." but actually amending the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, adjusts financial eligibility rules for students seeking higher education support. It raises income thresholds for program qualification (e.g., $80,000 annually for families with five+ children starting in 2025-2026) and adjusts age limits for participation (extending to age 18 for some applicants). Students must meet updated income requirements and comply with program terms like regular school attendance and avoiding substance abuse to maintain eligibility. The bill directly affects Oklahoma students in grades 5-11 seeking financial aid for post-secondary education through this state program.
Oklahoma Senate Bill 224 creates the Oklahoma Education and Workforce Efficiency Data System (EDS), a secure platform for state agencies to share de-identified student and workforce data across education and employment systems. It directly affects state agencies like the Oklahoma Department of Education, Workforce Commission, and higher education bodies by enabling data integration for improving educational outcomes and taxpayer return on investment. Key provisions include requiring strict privacy compliance (under FERPA and similar laws), prohibiting collection of sensitive data (religion, medical information), and establishing a Governance Council to oversee data access and vendor selection. The system aims to support evidence-based decisions while ensuring data privacy through formal agreements and anonymization for approved users like researchers.
SB 59 exempts certain nonprofit organizations from paying sales tax when purchasing clothing or supplies for students in need. This applies specifically to organizations providing these items directly to students, such as school-based aid programs or community initiatives supporting vulnerable youth. To qualify, organizations must submit required documentation to claim the exemption. The bill amends Oklahoma's sales tax code to add this specific exemption, effective May 29, 2025, after becoming law without the Governor's signature.
