Sen. Shane Jett

Maddy summarySB 792 requires all Oklahoma public school districts to adopt updated bullying prevention policies. The bill mandates that policies explicitly recognize students' right to use reasonable physical force for self-defense or to protect others during bullying incidents, while banning zero-tolerance disciplinary approaches that automatically punish bullying behavior. Policies must include specific training for school staff, clear reporting procedures for bullying (including anonymous reporting), annual parent/student notices, and requirements for investigating incidents and providing counseling. This directly affects every Oklahoma public school district, its administrators, staff, and students.

Maddy summarySB 935, the "Citizen Access to County Facilities Act," limits county liability for injuries occurring during activities at county-owned facilities like parks, senior centers, or fairgrounds. It requires counties to post a specific warning notice at facility entrances stating participants assume all inherent risks (including land, equipment, or negligent behavior), and counties cannot be sued for such injuries unless they acted with willful disregard or failed to address known dangers. The law applies to all participants using county facilities - excluding county employees - and mandates clear warning signs in black letters at least one inch tall. Counties must include the same warning in written facility contracts, and failure to post it removes their liability protection. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 510 modifies Oklahoma's teacher salary schedule by changing how school districts count certain teaching experience toward salary increases. It specifically allows school districts to grant credit for up to 10 years of active military service toward state salary increments (previously limited to 5 years), while maintaining a 5-year limit for retirement credit. This change directly affects Oklahoma public school teachers seeking salary increases based on military service or out-of-state teaching experience. The bill updates existing salary schedule rules without altering base salary amounts or other experience credits.

Maddy summarySB 508 expands existing whistleblower protections for Oklahoma teachers to include school support staff (like cafeteria workers, custodians, and administrative aides). It prohibits school districts from disciplining these employees for reporting violations of law, the Oklahoma Constitution, or safety concerns - whether disclosed directly to supervisors, school boards, or state education officials. Schools must prominently post this protection policy, while still respecting student privacy under FERPA. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and is designated an emergency measure.

Maddy summarySB 508 expands whistleblower protections in Oklahoma schools to include support employees (such as cafeteria workers, custodians, and administrative staff), not just teachers. It prohibits school districts from disciplining these employees for disclosing violations of law, reporting wrongdoing to officials (like school boards or law enforcement), or taking such actions without prior supervisor notice. The bill requires school districts to prominently post this protection policy and clarifies it does not override student privacy laws like FERPA. Effective July 1, 2025, the law aims to safeguard employees who report safety or legal concerns.

Maddy summarySB 935, the "Citizen Access to County Facilities Act," limits county liability for injuries occurring at county-owned facilities like parks, senior centers, barns, and fairgrounds. It requires counties to post specific warning signs stating participants assume risks from natural dangers, equipment hazards, or their own negligence. Counties are protected from lawsuits for such injuries unless they acted with willful disregard for safety or failed to address known, dangerous conditions. This law affects all facility users and counties, shifting responsibility for inherent activity risks to participants while maintaining safety standards.

Maddy summarySB 510 limits how much teaching experience from military service or out-of-state/out-of-country schools can count toward Oklahoma teachers' state salary increases. Specifically, it caps credit at five years for military service and out-of-state teaching experience when calculating minimum salary schedules. This applies to certified teachers in Oklahoma public schools who have such experience. The bill does not change the actual salary amounts in the schedule but modifies how experience is counted for salary increments.

Maddy summarySB 561 exempts individuals breeding or raising quail for personal use - such as for consumption, hobby, education, science, or releasing on private property - from needing a wildlife breeder's license under Oklahoma law. This change directly affects Oklahoma residents who raise quail without commercial intent, removing a licensing requirement for this specific activity. The bill amends Section 4-121 of the Oklahoma Wildlife Code to explicitly exclude quail from the licensing requirement, while other wildlife breeding remains subject to licensing. The exemption takes effect on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 780 creates a felony offense for removing or taking down the U.S. flag from public property or private property (without permission) and replacing it with another flag. It directly affects individuals who handle U.S. flags on public or private property, including property owned by others. The bill imposes penalties of up to $3,000 in fines, up to three years in prison, or both for violations. The law becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 561 exempts individuals in Oklahoma from needing a wildlife breeder's license when breeding or raising quail for personal consumption, hobby, education, scientific purposes, or releasing on private property. The bill amends state law to remove licensing requirements specifically for quail breeding, while maintaining other wildlife licensing rules for commercial or non-quail activities. It directly affects Oklahoma residents engaging in noncommercial quail breeding for personal use. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.