SB 1247 removes an exception that previously allowed certain non-lawfully present students to qualify for resident tuition and financial aid at Oklahoma public colleges and universities. It amends Oklahoma law to prohibit these students from receiving resident tuition rates or postsecondary education benefits, aligning with the broader rule that non-lawfully present individuals are ineligible for such benefits. The bill repeals the outdated Section 3242 of the Oklahoma Statutes and takes effect on July 1, 2026. This change directly affects undocumented students seeking in-state tuition rates at Oklahoma's public higher education institutions.
HB 1086 updates Oklahoma's school funding rules by redefining how school districts manage their general funds. It requires districts to place capital project funds (like those for building repairs) into a separate building fund instead of the general fund, and eliminates the practice of carrying over general fund money to future years. The bill restricts general fund use for capital projects to only cases where a building is destroyed by disaster (fire, flood, etc.) and other funding sources (insurance, state aid) are insufficient. This directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts in how they track and spend state and local education funds.
HB 2953 repeals specific sections of Oklahoma law (28-100, 28-100A, 28-101, 28-102, and 28-103) that previously established the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program. This bill directly affects the state’s education tax credit system by removing its legal foundation, effectively ending the program. The repeal takes effect November 1, 2026, meaning the tax credit will no longer be available after that date. As a procedural bill, it does not create new policy but eliminates existing law governing the credit.
SB 846, the "Stop DEI Act," prohibits Oklahoma public colleges and universities from requiring, soliciting, or incentivizing participation in courses or content related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory (DEI-CRT). It defines DEI-CRT content as materials discussing topics like systemic racism, racial bias, or gender-based equity in course requirements. Institutions must report alleged violations to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, which can deny funding to schools found in violation. The law exempts programs explicitly focused on racial, ethnic, or gender studies (e.g., "African American Studies") if they remain optional and don’t count toward general degree requirements.
SB 486 allows Oklahoma school districts to hire chaplains - defined as ordained religious leaders - to perform school counselor duties, bypassing standard counselor certification requirements. It exempts chaplains from Oklahoma’s counselor certification rules (Section 6-122.3 or 6-187 of Title 70) and clarifies they are not considered "teachers." Chaplains hired under this bill must undergo a national criminal history check as required by law. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and is designated as an emergency measure.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Oklahoma's Constitution (Article XIII, Section 4) that would affirm parents' and legal guardians' right to direct their children's education. It specifically prohibits the Oklahoma Legislature from regulating schools that do not receive public funds, including homeschools and private schools. The amendment would require voter approval through a legislative referendum, as outlined in the provided ballot title. If passed, it would prevent state laws from controlling non-public educational settings while maintaining existing requirements for school attendance. This change directly affects parents, guardians, and non-public educational institutions across Oklahoma.
SB 1315 prohibits individuals from countries designated as "countries of particular concern" by the U.S. Department of State from enrolling in Oklahoma's public higher education institutions starting with the 2026-2027 academic year. The bill directly affects international students from those specific countries, barring their enrollment in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will create implementing rules to carry out the policy. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and was declared an emergency to allow immediate implementation.
HB 1274 modifies Oklahoma's Teachers' Retirement System rules for retired educators returning to public school employment. It requires a 60-day break between retirement and reemployment (counting paid leave as employment) and imposes annual earnings limits: retired teachers under 62 may earn up to half their final salary or the Social Security limit (whichever is lower), while those 62+ face a $30,000 annual cap. For classroom teachers returning before 2029, a temporary $50,000 annual earnings limit applies. Exceeding limits results in losing $1 of retirement benefits for every $1 earned over the cap, and the bill includes specific exemptions for certain retirees returning under three-year windows.
HB 1603 requires Oklahoma public schools to teach a specific human growth and development curriculum, including a high-definition ultrasound video showing fetal development and a computer animation of cell/organ growth. It mandates this content be delivered in an age-appropriate manner, with parents able to opt their child out using a state-prescribed form two weeks before instruction. The bill affects all public school students in grades 9-12, as completion of this curriculum is required for graduation with a standard diploma unless a parent opts out. Schools must integrate this into health or science courses and align it with state academic standards, effective November 1, 2025.
HB 1998 requires Oklahoma public schools to obtain written parental permission before students can participate in sex education classes or materials focused on sexual behavior/attitudes, and before administering surveys about sexual behavior. Schools must provide parents with prior written notice about these materials and surveys, including the option to opt their child out. The bill specifically applies to the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey (which covers mental health, substance use, and related issues) and all sex education programs for students in grades 6-12. This law directly affects parents/guardians, students, and school districts by changing consent requirements for specific curricula and surveys.
