SB 684 modifies Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Act by increasing the annual credit limit to $7,500 for eligible taxpayers claiming credits for private school tuition and related education expenses. It changes the tax years for which the credit limit applies and requires the Oklahoma Tax Commission to maintain a publicly accessible, searchable online list of all taxpayers claiming the credit, including their names, credit amounts, and the specific law authorizing the credit. This bill directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers claiming the education credit and participating private schools, which must provide information to the Tax Commission. The law also specifies that qualified expenses include tuition at accredited private schools or certain educational services like tutoring and materials. The changes take effect immediately upon the bill's approval.
HB 1075 requires school superintendents to provide written dismissal recommendations for teachers and administrators with specific, documented reasons. If a recommendation involves potential criminal charges or certificate revocation issues, it must be forwarded to the Oklahoma State Board of Education. The bill also mandates that if an investigation clears an educator of wrongdoing, the record is expunged from State Board files. All recommendations are kept confidential under Oklahoma law, with strict rules for handling requests by school districts during employment decisions.
HB 1955 supports Oklahoma teachers seeking National Board certification by expanding financial assistance and recognition. It provides up to $1,800 per teacher annually (covering $1,300 in fees plus a $500 scholarship) for application costs and certification expenses, with repayment required if certification isn’t completed within three years. The bill also establishes a $5,000 annual bonus for 10 years for teachers certified before June 30, 2013, or those who applied before that date, while clarifying that bonus eligibility excludes certain salary increments. Additionally, it mandates free mentorship and training support for participating teachers through university partnerships. The law took effect November 1, 2025.
SB 1128 appropriates $100,000 from unallocated state funds to the Oklahoma State Board of Education for fiscal year 2026. It directly affects the State Board of Education by providing funding for duties required by law. The bill declares an emergency to make it effective immediately upon approval, though it specifies funds come from "monies not otherwise appropriated." The bill failed to pass on May 22, 2025, with 42 votes in favor and 48 against.
HB 2854 allows Oklahoma's public higher education institutions to modify their program offerings to address unmet workforce needs, beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year. It specifically updates provisions for the University Center at Ponca City (involving Northern Oklahoma College) and a new campus in Muskogee (serving Connors State College and Northeastern State University), removing Northern Oklahoma College's exclusive authority over lower-division courses at Ponca City starting in 2026. The bill establishes separate boards of trustees for each center to manage operations, budgets, and program approvals. These changes apply to institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and directly affect students seeking accessible degree programs in those communities. The legislation focuses on expanding educational access and program flexibility without altering tuition or state funding mechanisms.
HB 2287 clarifies and expands how Oklahoma defines "per-pupil expenditure" for reporting purposes. It requires school districts and the state to calculate this metric by dividing total daily school operation costs (including instruction, student support, administration, transportation, and nutrition) by the student count as of October 1. The bill specifically adds categories like career and technology education and concurrent graduation courses to the definition while excluding non-operational costs (e.g., building construction, debt). This change ensures the State Department of Education must publish detailed breakdowns of all spending categories alongside the overall per-pupil figure, starting July 1, 2025.
HB 1393 amends Oklahoma's special education law to clarify how alternate achievement standards are applied in Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) for students with disabilities. It replaces the phrase "based on alternate academic achievement standards" with language requiring assessments "that promote access to and progress in the general education curriculum." This change directly affects students with disabilities in Oklahoma public schools who use alternate assessments, ensuring their IEPs focus on meaningful engagement with standard curriculum content. The bill specifies that alternate assessments must support students' ability to access and advance in regular classroom learning, not just measure them against different standards. The amendment became law after Governor approval on May 9, 2025.
SB 331, the Emerson Kate Cole Act, requires Oklahoma school employees to call 911 immediately after administering Epinephrine to a student experiencing an allergic reaction. It also mandates schools to notify parents or guardians when a student has a possible allergic reaction and to provide annual training for teachers and staff on recognizing anaphylaxis and using Epinephrine. The law amends existing school medication policies to clarify procedures for handling allergic emergencies and ensures staff are trained on emergency response. This directly affects students with severe allergies, school employees, and school districts across Oklahoma.
HB 1995 expands Oklahoma's definition of rape to include sexual acts between students aged 16-19 (while under school custody) and school employees (including resource officers) who are 18 or older. It explicitly designates school resource officers as school employees for these provisions and adds similar protections for foster children under 19 and secondary school students concurrently enrolled in higher education with staff. The law specifies that such acts are rape under Section 1111, with penalties including minimum 3-year prison terms (25 years for victims under 12). It also updates related provisions in Section 1123 regarding lewd acts with children under 16.
HB 1483 extends whistleblower protections to school support employees (like counselors, cafeteria workers, and administrative staff) in Oklahoma, alongside teachers. It prohibits school districts from disciplining these employees for reporting violations of law, the Oklahoma Constitution, or rules - whether to supervisors, school boards, law enforcement, or the State Department of Education. The bill requires school districts to prominently post this law and clarifies it doesn’t override student privacy rights under FERPA. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, after being approved by the governor on May 6, 2025.
