SB 1589 updates Oklahoma's gambling laws by broadly defining "online casino games" to include mobile and wearable devices (like smartphones or smartwatches) that simulate traditional gambling. It clarifies that "representative of value" covers virtual currency systems exchangeable for prizes or cash. The bill expands criminal liability to include not just operators but also geolocation providers, gaming suppliers, platform providers, promoters, and media affiliates involved in such games. Violators face a Class C2 felony charge, fines of $500-$2,000, and imprisonment, effective November 1, 2026.
SB 1734, the Oklahoma Responsible Technology in Schools Act, restricts AI tool use in public schools to educator-supervised settings, requiring all classroom AI applications to operate under teacher oversight ("human-in-the-loop") with educators reviewing outputs before use in instruction or assessment. It prohibits AI from determining high-stakes outcomes like grading, discipline, or student placement, and mandates school districts to adopt policies by the 2027-2028 school year covering data privacy, appropriate use, and transparency for families. The State Department of Education must develop guidance to help districts comply, while ensuring AI tools meet federal privacy laws (like FERPA) and minimize student data sharing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not compel schools to adopt AI but sets guardrails for its responsible use.
HB 1276 requires Oklahoma public school districts to adopt policies banning student cell phones and personal electronic devices (like tablets, smartwatches, or laptops) during the entire school day and on school grounds, effective July 2025. Exceptions are permitted for medical emergencies documented by a licensed professional. School boards may opt out of the ban through annual approval, but must still allow device use for emergencies. The bill defines "personal electronic devices" to exclude school-issued tech used for instruction and clarifies "school day" as the full instructional period from first to last bell. It directly affects all K-12 students and school districts in Oklahoma.
This Oklahoma bill requires investor-owned electric utilities to evaluate and potentially deploy grid-enhancing technologies that increase the capacity and efficiency of existing transmission lines without building new infrastructure. The law mandates that utilities analyze the cost-effectiveness of advanced technologies like dynamic line rating and high-performance conductors in their planning processes and report findings to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. If the Commission determines these technologies are cost-effective, utilities can recover the associated costs through rates paid by customers. The legislation specifically applies to investor-owned utilities and does not cover cooperatives or municipal providers.
HB 4358 limits screen time for prekindergarten through fifth grade public school students to one hour per school day, including all classroom activities using devices like tablets, computers, or smart devices. The law exempts students requiring special education accommodations under IEPs or 504 plans, as well as necessary assistive technology. It applies to all public schools in Oklahoma starting the 2026-2027 school year. The bill defines "screen time" broadly to cover both teacher-directed and student-selected digital activities during school hours.
HB 1016 requires content creators in Oklahoma who feature minors in compensated online videos to set aside earnings in a trust account for the minor until they turn 18. It mandates detailed record-keeping of minor-related content, views, and earnings, and allows minors aged 13+ to demand removal of their likeness from content. Content creators must maintain these records until the minor turns 21 and face civil penalties for violations, including lawsuits for unpaid trust funds. The law directly affects minors appearing in compensated video content on platforms like social media or streaming services within Oklahoma.
HB 3647 creates the "Oklahoma Health Care Transparency Initiative" requiring most licensed health care providers in Oklahoma to submit anonymized claims and enrollment data to a state-designated health information exchange starting July 1, 2026. It establishes an Office within the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to oversee the initiative, with limited exemptions for providers facing financial hardship, small practice size, or technological limitations. The law mandates strict confidentiality and privacy protections for patient data, aligning with federal standards like HIPAA, and prohibits misuse of the collected information. This initiative aims to build a centralized database for health care cost and utilization data, primarily affecting hospitals, clinics, and insurers participating in Oklahoma's health care system.
