SB 2045 requires public elementary schools serving full-day pre-kindergarten through fifth grade to provide at least 30 minutes of daily recess as a condition of state accreditation. This applies to all students in those grades, with recess allowed to be split into segments and required to occur outdoors when weather and conditions permit. The bill removes previous recommendations about recess and instead mandates it as a distinct requirement separate from the existing 60-minute weekly physical education requirement. Schools must comply by July 1, 2026, or risk losing accreditation.
HB 2749 creates a special fund called the Intergenerational Education Revolving Fund within the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. It establishes a competitive grant program to connect nursing facilities participating in Oklahoma's Medicaid program with public school districts for collaborative intergenerational education initiatives. Grant awards, provided as rate adjustments to qualifying facilities, will fund these partnerships. The program begins July 1, 2025, with funds limited to the total amount deposited into the revolving fund.
HB 2959 requires all school employees in Oklahoma to immediately report suspected abuse or neglect of students under 18 to both the Department of Human Services and local law enforcement (police, not school resource officers). It mandates that school superintendents or administrators must report suspected abuse by staff to law enforcement within 24 hours - before any school investigation or interviews occur - and prohibits school officials from questioning accused staff until law enforcement is notified. The bill also requires all school employees to annually acknowledge their reporting duty and defines "abuse or neglect" broadly to include sexual abuse, trafficking, and other specific offenses under Oklahoma law. This law directly affects every school employee and administrator in Oklahoma public and private schools.
HB 3016 requires Oklahoma schools to provide binocular vision screenings for students in kindergarten, first, and third grades to identify convergence insufficiency (a vision disorder affecting near focus). Screenings, conducted within 30 days of the school year start by trained school nurses or vision professionals, must be performed in addition to existing vision screenings. The bill establishes a Binocular Screening Revolving Fund in the state treasury to cover program costs using state appropriations, which must supplement - rather than replace - current school vision funding. The program begins in the 2026-2027 school year.
HB 4274 removes residency requirements for children of active-duty military personnel seeking to transfer schools within Oklahoma. It requires school districts to accept these students as "in-district" for enrollment purposes without needing proof of local residence, treating them as if they live within the district. Eligibility requires the student's parent to have a Department of Defense ID and either reside with a relative in the district or plan to move there within six months. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and mandates districts to accept electronic enrollment applications and maintain special education services for these students.
SB 201 establishes a mandatory minimum salary schedule for Oklahoma public school teachers beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. It sets specific annual salary floors based on years of experience and education level (e.g., $50,000 for a bachelor's degree with 0 experience), requiring school districts to meet these amounts through salary or fringe benefits. The bill defines "fringe benefits" to include retirement contributions (excluding certain state-mandated portions) and mandates written notice to teachers if districts propose salaries below the minimum. It also standardizes how teaching experience (including out-of-state, military, or Department of Defense service) is counted for salary increments, while prohibiting credit for more than five years of such experience.
HB 3671 redefines "career teacher" in Oklahoma law for public school educators. To qualify, teachers must meet specific criteria: either 3+ consecutive years in one district with certain evaluation ratings, 4+ years with averaged "effective" ratings, or a district petition process for those who don't meet standard requirements. This definition directly affects teachers seeking career status, which typically provides enhanced job protections. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 1975 requires Oklahoma public school districts to make Advanced Placement (AP) exams available to any student residing in the district and to post exam dates, registration details, and procedures on their websites by August 31 each year. It also mandates the Statewide Charter School Board to maintain an online learning platform offering AP courses, STEM subjects, foreign languages, and other high-quality courses for all Oklahoma students. The State Department of Education must provide information to students and parents about AP courses and their benefits for college readiness, scholarships, and financial aid opportunities. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 3240 requires Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy allowing daily prayer or reading of the Bible or other religious texts during school hours, effective for the 2026-2027 school year. The policy must include a consent form for students and employees, acknowledging their choice to participate, specifying opportunities for individual or group activities, and waiving legal claims under the First Amendment. Schools must prohibit participation without consent, ban public address system use for religious content, and ensure the activity does not replace instructional time. Parents or students may revoke consent at any time, and schools must provide a model consent form. This bill directly affects all Oklahoma public schools, students, and employees.
SB 1133 appropriates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds are intended to support the Regents' existing statutory duties in overseeing the state's public higher education system. This is a procedural funding measure with no new policies or program changes, declared an emergency to take immediate effect. It directly affects the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education by providing budgetary support for their current operations.
