SB 139 requires Oklahoma public school district boards of education to adopt cell phone policies by the 2025-2026 school year. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, boards may choose to implement policies prohibiting students from using cell phones or personal electronic devices on school campuses "from bell to bell" during school hours. The bill directly affects school districts by setting a timeline for policy adoption and defining the scope of device restrictions during instructional time. This legislation, approved by the governor on May 3, 2025, provides a framework for district-level decisions without mandating specific enforcement.
SB 794 requires Oklahoma teacher preparation programs accredited by the state's Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to provide either a minimum number of weeks of classroom practice or a job-embedded teacher apprenticeship program for teacher candidates. It directly affects all individuals training to become teachers in state-accredited programs. The law mandates the Commission to establish specific requirements through rules, with the policy taking effect July 1, 2025. The bill creates two concrete pathways for teacher candidates to gain practical experience before certification.
SB 409 would require Oklahoma public school districts to add one additional day of classroom instruction starting July 1, 2025, if the state allocates at least $25 million more in funding for public schools than the previous fiscal year. This provision directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts by mandating an extra school day when specific state budget increases are met. The bill establishes a clear funding trigger ($25 million greater than prior year) as the mechanism for the requirement, with no changes to existing minimum instructional time standards (180 days or 1,080 hours). It is designed to link state education funding increases directly to expanded instructional time for students. The bill was introduced but failed passage in April 2025 (22-63 vote).
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.
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.
HB 2154 amends Oklahoma's Charter Schools Act to require charter school governing boards to approve a budget for each upcoming fiscal year before it begins. This change directly affects all Oklahoma charter school governing boards by adding a new annual procedural requirement. The bill focuses on strengthening financial oversight through mandatory pre-fiscal-year budget approvals, without altering other provisions like financial statement requirements or contract rules. The amendment was added to the bill during committee review and is currently pending in the House.
HB 1088 allows students in school districts that do not offer their required grade level to automatically transfer to an adjacent district without facing capacity limits. This applies only to one transfer per student, bypassing standard capacity rules that normally restrict transfers. Subsequent transfers would follow existing rules under the Education Open Transfer Act. The bill directly affects students whose home districts lack their grade level, particularly those seeking adjacent district enrollment.
SB 808 clarifies Oklahoma's physical therapy referral rules, allowing licensed physical therapists (and assistants under supervision) to evaluate and treat patients without a doctor's referral for up to 30 days, except for workers' compensation cases. It specifically exempts children receiving physical therapy under federal special education laws (IDEA/504), screening/education services, and non-injury-related fitness/wellness programs. The bill explicitly states physical therapists cannot practice "healing arts" beyond their scope and maintains existing restrictions on non-therapeutic services. Signed into law on April 23, 2025, it takes effect November 1, 2025.
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.
HB 1982 updates Oklahoma school contracting rules for electronic educational materials. It requires vendors to guarantee materials are ready for immediate use at delivery, provide free replacements for defects within seven days, and supply updates/support within seven days of a school's notification. The bill also mandates that electronic files for textbooks must be in formats compatible with federal accessibility standards (like Braille conversion), ensuring materials can be adapted for students with disabilities. These rules apply to digital textbooks, software, and online learning tools purchased by school districts, effective July 1, 2025.
