Sen. Shane Jett

Maddy summarySB 1906 prohibits hospitals in Oklahoma from requiring healthcare workers (including physicians, nurses, students, residents, and interns) to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or other diseases as a condition of employment, contract, or training. It also bans hospitals from discriminating against staff or trainees based on their vaccination status. The bill updates existing school vaccine rules (Section 1210.189) by removing an exception that previously allowed healthcare settings to enforce vaccination requirements. This law directly affects hospital employees, trainees, and healthcare students across Oklahoma. It takes immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.

Maddy summarySB 1680 modifies Oklahoma's law restricting firearm carry in specific locations. It prohibits firearms in most government buildings (unless metal detectors and signage are present), courthouses, schools (except under new school policies), and gambling venues. Key changes include allowing private schools to permit firearms if they adopt a policy, requiring minimum security (fences, metal detectors, officers) for event areas, and permitting concealed carry (but not open carry) at municipal zoos/parks. The bill affects school districts, government facilities, event organizers, and firearm owners by clarifying where firearms are restricted or permitted.

Maddy summarySB 1757, titled the "First Amendment Open Meeting Protection Act," amends Oklahoma's Open Meeting Act to explicitly prohibit public bodies (like city councils or school boards) from blocking attendees from recording meetings via video, audio, or other methods, as long as the recording doesn’t disrupt the meeting. It requires public bodies to allow recordings and creates a civil remedy for individuals unlawfully prevented from recording, enabling them to seek monetary damages. The bill directly affects attendees at public meetings and public officials responsible for enforcing meeting rules. It updates existing law to clarify recording rights and ensures transparency without altering meeting procedures or content.

Maddy summarySB 1885 modifies Oklahoma's homestead tax exemption for homeowners. Starting in 2027, it phases in a full exemption from ad valorem taxes on homestead properties: 33% in 2027, 67% in 2028, and 100% from 2029 onward. This replaces previous exemption amounts and applies uniformly to all qualifying homeowners statewide. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, with taxes for 2027 payable in 2027. It directly affects Oklahoma homeowners who qualify for homestead exemption under state law.

Maddy summarySB 1773 amends Oklahoma law to address emergency child custody procedures and false statements. It creates a misdemeanor offense (fines up to $500 or 3 months in jail) for knowingly filing false sworn statements in emergency custody cases. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to conduct safety evaluations before taking a child into emergency custody, mandating that children be returned to parents if no imminent danger is found. It also establishes protocols for law enforcement and the Department to coordinate responses when children are taken into protective custody by officers. The law directly affects parents, caregivers, law enforcement, courts, and child welfare workers involved in emergency custody decisions.

Maddy summarySB 1777 prohibits current members of Oklahoma's Council on Judicial Complaints from being eligible for election or appointment to the Judicial Nominating Commission, the Supreme Court, the Court of Civil Appeals, the Court of Criminal Appeals, or any other state court during their term on the Council. This rule change directly affects individuals serving on the Council, preventing them from holding these specific judicial offices while serving. The bill amends Section 1653 of Oklahoma Statutes to establish this eligibility restriction, ensuring Council members cannot simultaneously serve in these other judicial roles. The provision takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1763 creates a legal pathway for victims or their families to sue judges or prosecutors in civil court if a defendant they sentenced or failed to prosecute later commits a severe crime (such as murder, rape, or aggravated assault) within five years. To succeed, plaintiffs must prove the original decision - like a "light sentence," "unreasonably low bail," or "refusal to prosecute" - constituted gross negligence by clear and convincing evidence. If proven in a criminal case (prosecuted exclusively by the Attorney General), the judge or prosecutor could face felony charges punishable by up to half the minimum sentence for the original crime or a $100,000 fine. The law includes exceptions for good-faith decisions based on rehabilitation evidence or mandatory sentencing, and requires civil lawsuits to be filed within three years of the severe crime.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Oklahoma school districts and charter schools to employ or accept as volunteers ordained religious leaders (chaplains) to provide voluntary support services to students and staff, without requiring state education certification. Schools must conduct national criminal history checks through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) for chaplains and cannot hire individuals required to register as sex offenders. It also prohibits requiring students or school employees to seek services from a chaplain. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1770 repeals Section 292.2 of Oklahoma's statutes, which previously set requirements for House of Representatives positions and salaries. This bill removes a specific legal requirement governing how House member positions are structured and compensated. The repeal takes effect on July 1, 2026, and an emergency declaration allows it to take effect immediately upon approval. The bill directly affects the operational rules for Oklahoma's House of Representatives members regarding their roles and pay structure.

Maddy summarySB 1678 modifies Oklahoma's laws on firearm carry by expanding prohibited locations, including most government buildings, courthouses (only during sessions), schools (except under specific policies), sports arenas during events, and gambling venues. It adds exceptions allowing concealed carry on parking areas adjacent to prohibited zones, school parking lots (with firearms stored hidden in locked vehicles), and municipal zoos/parks owned by public trusts or nonprofits. The bill requires private schools to adopt written policies permitting firearm carry and allows school boards to authorize designated staff (with security licenses) to carry on campus. Violations of the prohibitions may result in a $250 fine or denial of entry, but do not prohibit lawful carry in permitted areas.