Rep. Michelle McCane

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Oklahoma's divorce filing process by changing legal terminology from "divorce" to "dissolution of marriage" in all court documents. It requires the Oklahoma Bar Association to create simple, plain-language forms for divorce cases and directs the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide public online access to these forms. The standardized forms would be optional for people filing divorce cases, not mandatory. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1944 requires Oklahoma public secondary schools to assign grade levels to students in grades 9-12 based on earned course credits starting in the 2025-2026 school year, rather than traditional age-based progression. Students earn specific grade levels (e.g., 0-6 credits = freshman, 19+ credits = senior) based on cumulative credits, and those not meeting credit thresholds for advancement remain in their current grade level. The bill mandates that school districts include four specific items on student report cards: current earned credits, credit-based grade level, remaining graduation requirements, and projected graduation date. It becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1018 prohibits physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers from performing pelvic exams on anesthetized or unconscious female patients without specific authorization. It directly affects female patients under anesthesia and healthcare providers who conduct such exams. The bill requires either informed written consent from the patient, the exam being part of a necessary surgical or diagnostic procedure, or it being medically required for a patient unable to consent. The law takes effect on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2732 standardizes divorce-related court forms and terminology in Oklahoma. It requires all dissolution of marriage proceedings to use the title "In re the Marriage of _____ and ______" and replaces the term "divorce" with "dissolution of marriage" in legal documents. The Oklahoma Bar Association must create plain-language standard forms for divorce cases, and the Administrative Office of the Courts must provide public online access to these forms via the Oklahoma State Courts Network - though using them remains optional. This bill directly affects individuals filing for divorce in Oklahoma courts and takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1946 prohibits Oklahoma school districts from offering teaching contracts shorter than one school year to certified teachers, except when a teacher is hired after the school year has begun. This applies to all standard teaching positions requiring state certification, ensuring minimum annual employment terms. The law prevents districts from using short-term contracts to avoid long-term obligations, requiring contracts to cover the full school year unless hired mid-year. Exceptions only apply if a teacher is hired after the school year starts, in which case the contract extends to the end of that school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1946 prohibits Oklahoma school districts from entering into teacher contracts lasting less than one full school year, except for teachers hired after the school year has begun. This applies to all certified teachers in public school districts and requires contracts to cover the entire school year, with exceptions only for late-hired staff whose contracts must extend to the end of the current school year. The bill also establishes that teachers not formally rehired by June 15 automatically receive continuing contracts for the following school year. These provisions aim to ensure stable employment terms for teachers and prevent short-term contracts that could disrupt school operations.

Maddy summaryHB 1952 is a procedural bill that names the "Education Reform Act of 2025" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2025. It does not establish new policies, programs, or funding mechanisms. The bill solely provides a title and effective date for future legislation, with no substantive changes described in the text. This type of bill typically serves administrative or naming purposes before more detailed provisions are introduced.

Maddy summaryHB 1943, the Oklahoma Plain Writing Act of 2025, requires all state agencies (including departments, courts, and the legislature) to use clear, simple language in documents people need to access government services, benefits, or tax filings. Agencies must train staff, create plain writing sections on their websites, and publish compliance reports within nine months of the law's effective date (November 1, 2025). Starting one year after the effective date, all new or significantly revised agency documents must follow plain writing standards to improve clarity. The law includes penalties of $500 for first violations and $1,000 for repeat violations, with fines funding the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System.

Maddy summaryHB 1020 expands eligibility for Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program to include children of public school employees who have worked for at least five consecutive years. This specifically covers teachers, librarians, certified nurses, support staff, and correctional instructors with teaching certificates paid by public funds. The bill exempts these students from the standard financial need requirement, automatically qualifying them for tuition assistance. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education must verify the parent's employment status to implement this change.

Maddy summaryHB 1949 is a procedural bill that establishes the name "Oklahoma Public Health and Safety Reform Act of 2025" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2025. The bill contains no substantive policy provisions or mechanisms; it is explicitly marked as "noncodified" (not added to Oklahoma's statutes). It does not directly affect any specific group or create new requirements. The bill is currently in early stages (first reading introduced February 3, 2025).