Education

signed · Oklahoma · House May 11, 2026

HB 3076: Teachers; new and innovative pathways toward teacher certification; alternative teacher preparation programs; alternative placement teaching certificates; effective date; emergency.

HB 3076 creates a pilot program for alternative teacher certification pathways in Oklahoma, allowing organizations like school districts or colleges to offer non-traditional teacher preparation programs. It requires the State Board of Education Commission to approve providers meeting specific criteria (such as financial stability, infrastructure, and program effectiveness) within 60 days, and mandates that approved programs use research-based methods to prepare teachers. The bill permits teacher candidates to demonstrate competency through non-traditional means like work experience or industry certifications, rather than solely standardized tests. The pilot program is limited to a two-year timeframe ending July 1, 2026, and requires annual reporting on program success rates.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates alternative teacher certification pathways to expand educator recruitment and support, aligning with teacher support and access indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SB 1790: Schools; creating the Protected Learning Environment Act; directing the State Department of Education to develop and publish certain discipline matrix. Effective date. Emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates trauma-informed discipline standards to protect learning environments, aligning with student safety and federal compliance (IDEA/FERPA)95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3853: Revenue and taxation; sales tax exemption; school supplies; effective date; emergency.

HB 3853 exempts certain school supplies from Oklahoma's sales tax during a specific three-day back-to-school period each year. It applies to items like pencils, notebooks, backpacks, and other classroom essentials priced under $100, purchased between 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in August and 12 a.m. the following Sunday. The exemption does not cover athletic wear, accessories (e.g., jewelry, wallets), or rentals. This policy change, effective July 1, 2026, aims to reduce costs for families buying qualifying school supplies during that window.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts school supplies from sales tax, providing direct tax relief for families during back-to-school season, aligning with tax relief for middle/lower income.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts school supplies from sales tax, reducing family costs for essential K-12 materials, directly supporting educational access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3230: Schools; Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Program; priority consideration; effective date.

HB 3230 amends Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Program to adjust income-based tax credits for parents paying for private school education. It allows tax credits of up to $7,500 annually (reduced for higher-income households) for tuition at accredited private schools, with a $1,000 cap for students using other education options. Special provisions provide full $7,500 credits for students experiencing homelessness or attending schools primarily serving financially disadvantaged students. The credit is claimed against Oklahoma state income tax for tax years 2024 and beyond, subject to specific eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates income-adjusted tax credits for private school tuition, providing tax relief for middle/lower-income families through targeted credits and special provisions for disadvantaged students.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides tax credits for private school tuition with special provisions for disadvantaged students, expanding educational access options through funding mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 2016: Technology center school districts; directing the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education to take certain actions in its administration of certain federal funds. Effective date.

SB 2016 directs Oklahoma's Department of Career and Technology Education to prioritize federal Perkins Act funds for expanding high-demand vocational programs (like welding, healthcare, and construction) in technology center school districts. It requires 20% of state leadership funds to support high school student enrollment through transportation, tuition waivers, and school partnerships, and creates performance incentives for districts increasing student participation. The bill mandates an annual report tracking enrollment growth, industry credentials earned, and fund distribution to the Governor and legislature. It directly affects technology center districts and Oklahoma high school students seeking vocational training pathways.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects Perkins funds toward vocational programs and allocates state funds for student enrollment support, expanding access and funding for career education programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education K-12 Education

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1340: Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program; increasing income eligibility limits beginning in certain school year. Effective date.

SB 1340 raises income eligibility limits for Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program, directly affecting low-income students seeking college benefits. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, the bill increases the maximum parent federal adjusted gross income for qualification to $60,000 (for families with two or fewer children), $70,000 (three or four children), and $80,000 (five or more children). This updates previous thresholds that were lower for earlier school years. The change expands access to the program by allowing more students from middle-income families to qualify for benefits like tuition assistance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state-funded higher education access by raising income thresholds, increasing program spending to support low-income students.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands college access for low-income students by raising income eligibility thresholds, directly increasing educational access per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

Track

signed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 23, 2025

SB 808: Practice of physical therapy; clarifying certain exemption from referral. Effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts IDEA/504 special education services, facilitating physical therapy access for students without referral barriers.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves referral barrier for physical therapy access, improving patient access to care without expanding coverage or funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

died · Oklahoma · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 2196: Education; Larry Dickerson Education Flexible Benefits Allowance Act; school employee dependents; effective date; emergency.

HB 2196 establishes a flexible benefit allowance for Oklahoma school district employees to cover health insurance and other benefits for themselves and their dependents. The state must appropriate annual funds to cover the allowance, calculated based on the number of eligible employees (including certified personnel and support staff like bus drivers or janitors) and their dependents. School districts must offer a flexible benefits plan including health coverage, allowing employees to use the allowance for health insurance or receive unused portions as taxable pay. The bill also updates definitions of "dependent" and requires the State Board of Education to report on self-insured health plans used by school districts.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes state-funded flexible benefits for school employees (including teachers/support staff) to cover health insurance, supporting educator welfare and retention.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates state funding for school employee health insurance coverage under flexible benefits plan, expanding access to healthcare for employees and dependents.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes state-funded flexible benefits allowance for school employees' health insurance and dependents, expanding worker benefits through mandatory state appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Insurance

Track

signed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2257: Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Act; providing for review of certain fees; authorizing establishment of certain cap; modifying retention eligibility; emergency.

HB 2257 creates the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program, providing tuition and fee coverage for eligible Oklahoma National Guard members attending Oklahoma colleges. It covers up to 120 credit hours for undergraduate degrees (max 18 credits per semester) and 40 credit hours for master's programs, including mandatory fees and academic service fees. To qualify, members must maintain a 2.0 GPA, hold a military occupational specialty after their first semester, and agree to serve 24 additional months in the Guard after completing their education. Failure to meet service requirements triggers repayment calculations based on the total assistance amount. The program becomes effective November 1, 2025, and is funded through a revolving fund managed by the Military Department and State Regents for Higher Education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition/fee coverage for National Guard members at Oklahoma colleges, directly funding higher education access and expanding educational opportunities for military personnel.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates educational assistance for Oklahoma National Guard members (a key veteran support benefit), covering tuition/fees for up to 120 credits, directly advancing veterans' educational opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 1204: School employees; requiring school districts to provide paid bereavement leave to certain employees for certain purposes. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1204 requires Oklahoma school districts to provide teachers and school support personnel with three days of paid bereavement leave following the death of their spouse or child, including leave for miscarriage. This leave must be granted in addition to existing sick leave benefits and cannot be reduced by local negotiated leave policies. The bill amends Oklahoma law to mandate this policy for all affected employees, effective immediately under an emergency provision. It directly affects school employees covered under Section 6-104 of Oklahoma Statutes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates paid bereavement leave for teachers/support staff, directly supporting educator well-being and retention through enhanced benefits.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates paid bereavement leave for school staff (spouse/child death), expanding worker benefits beyond existing sick leave policies without reduction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave