This bill expands Oklahoma's School Security Revolving Fund to cover additional security measures and requires annual allocations for three fiscal years. It directly affects Oklahoma public schools and the State Department of Education, which manages the fund. Key provisions include removing previous spending limits, mandating yearly fund allocations (subject to available money), and specifying that funds must be used for school resource officers, physical security upgrades (like cameras, locks, and ballistic shelters), and mental health counseling services. The bill emphasizes these funds must supplement, not replace, existing school security funding.
SB 1337 adds 90 days of unpaid paternity leave for full-time education employees (like teachers and school staff) in Oklahoma during their child's first year. It allows these employees to take leave without pay for childcare while still receiving full credit toward salary increases and retirement service time. The bill also updates existing leave-sharing programs to include paternity leave eligibility and modifies related revolving funds. This directly affects education employees seeking parental leave, with specific provisions for both maternity and paternity leave under updated statutes. The policy change takes effect immediately due to an emergency declaration.
SB 1790, the "Protected Learning Environment Act," requires Oklahoma public schools to adopt a standardized discipline system by the 2027-2028 school year. It mandates the State Department of Education to create a three-tiered discipline matrix (for minor, moderate, and serious behaviors) that ensures consistent, trauma-informed responses while complying with federal laws like IDEA and FERPA. School districts must train staff, document incidents electronically, and report annual safety data to the state, including trends in student behavior and compliance. The law directly affects all public school students, staff, and parents by standardizing consequences for disruptions (e.g., off-task behavior in Tier 1, violence in Tier 3) and requiring alternative placements for students with repeated serious infractions.
HB 1484, known as "Rain's Law," requires Oklahoma public schools to provide annual, research-based instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention and drug poisoning awareness to students in grades 6 through 12. The bill mandates that this instruction cover suicide prevention, fentanyl abuse and addiction prevention, local resource access, and health education about fentanyl use. Schools must incorporate this content into health classes, and the State Department of Education will develop curriculum standards and resources to support implementation. The law also designates a week for "Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Week" to align with National Red Ribbon Week, with age-appropriate instruction determined by each school district.
SB 1374, the Thrive Act, provides state funding reimbursement for school meal programs in Oklahoma. It applies to school districts with 40% or more students qualifying for free meals (based on federal eligibility criteria) that choose to participate in the federal community eligibility program. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, these districts receive tiered state reimbursements per meal: 100% for districts under 2,000 students, 90% for 2,000-10,000 students, and 80% for districts over 10,000 students. The law also requires the State Department of Education to evaluate the program’s impact every three years starting in 2028.
SB 1341 creates a reusable "Career Counselor Revolving Fund" within Oklahoma's State Department of Education to support career counselors in public school districts. The bill appropriates $1.5 million from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2027, which will be used to fund career counseling services without annual reauthorization. The fund will be replenished through future appropriations, gifts, or grants, allowing continuous support for school-based career counselors. This directly affects school districts and their career counseling programs by providing dedicated, ongoing funding.
SB 1237 creates Oklahoma's "Teachers' Bill of Rights," granting specific protections to public school teachers, administrators, and support staff. It directly affords rights including free expression (like keeping religious materials in classrooms, wearing faith-based jewelry, and praying with students), protection from harassment or threats, classroom discipline authority (removing disruptive students), medical privacy (refusing vaccines/masks as employment condition), and guaranteed planning time (1 hour) and lunch (20 minutes). The bill also requires school districts to establish a due process plan for reporting rights violations, including anonymous reporting and timely investigations. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and declares an emergency.
SB 1413 requires Oklahoma public school districts to notify parents in writing when a teacher with a temporary emergency certificate (issued for urgent staffing needs) teaches their child. The notification must include the teacher's name and classes. The bill also sets specific limits - 90 to 270 clock hours - for professional education training in alternative teacher certification programs, replacing previous flexible requirements. These changes directly affect parents, students, school districts, and teachers seeking certification through alternative pathways.
SB 1342 increases the monthly cash payment for Oklahoma school district employees who opt out of the cafeteria health plan. Certified personnel (e.g., teachers) and support staff will receive $500 per month as taxable compensation instead of the previous $69.71 and $189.69, respectively. The change applies to all employees choosing not to participate in the school-district-sponsored cafeteria plan after November 1, 2026. This replaces the previous tiered benefit structure with a flat $500 amount for both employee categories. The bill updates statutory language and effective dates but does not alter the health plan options themselves.
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.
