Sen. Adam Pugh

Maddy summarySB 1437 requires Oklahoma school districts to administer the Presidential Fitness Test starting in the 2026-2027 school year, using guidelines established by the State Department of Education. These guidelines must include staff training, exemptions for students with disabilities or medical conditions, and a parent opt-out option. School districts must use test results to promote physical activity, adjust fitness programs, and encourage participation in exercise both at school and in the community. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directs the guidelines to align with recommendations from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition.

Maddy summaryHB 3021 establishes new curriculum standards for Oklahoma public schools, requiring all students to complete a 23-unit graduation curriculum starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates specific content in subjects like requiring equal focus on classic literature and nonfiction in English, studying key historical documents (including the U.S. Constitution), and mastering standard math algorithms and Euclidean geometry. The bill creates a process for schools to request "nonstandard course waivers" for alternative courses, while ensuring technology center courses meet state standards and can count toward graduation. This directly affects Oklahoma public high school students and districts by standardizing graduation requirements and expanding options for course approval.

Maddy summarySB 1546 renames Oklahoma's teacher scholarship program to the NEXT-ED Program and increases scholarship amounts for students pursuing teaching degrees. The bill provides up to $2,000 per year for the first three years (for students with fewer than 90 credits) and up to $5,000 for the final year (for students with 90+ credits), with a total maximum of $11,000 per student. To qualify, students must commit to teaching in Oklahoma public schools for five years after graduation and maintain a 2.5 GPA. Participants who fulfill this teaching commitment may also receive up to $20,000 in total through annual employment incentive payments of up to $4,000 per year.

Maddy summarySB 1338 amends Oklahoma's Strong Readers Act by removing the existing three-year pilot program for literacy instructional teams and adding a requirement for the State Department of Education to submit biennial reports to the Governor and legislative leaders. School districts that decline literacy team support become ineligible for certain state funds under this provision. The bill mandates reports evaluating team effectiveness, tracking student reading proficiency improvements, and offering recommendations for the program. These reports must be submitted by December 31 of each odd-numbered year starting in 2026. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with an emergency declaration.

Maddy summarySB 1489 requires Oklahoma public schools and the State Department of Education to comply with federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) standards for students with disabilities aged 3-21. It mandates that school districts provide special education services as defined by IDEA and authorizes using federal funds for these services. The bill specifically requires the State Department to publish online dispute resolution options for parents, including IEP facilitation, mediation, due process, and state complaints. This bill affects all Oklahoma public school districts, students with disabilities, and their families, effective July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill names the "Oklahoma Education Reform Act of 2026" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2026. It does not include substantive policy provisions or mechanisms, as it is a procedural naming act with no described legislative changes or affected parties. The bill is currently in early committee review stages.

Maddy summaryHB 3467 modifies leave policies for education employees in Oklahoma, specifically expanding maternity and adoption leave to cover children under four years old. The bill directly affects public school staff and other education employees who take leave for childbirth or adoption. Its key provision limits eligibility to cases where the child is under four years of age, narrowing the scope of existing leave coverage. The bill was amended to include this age restriction and referred to the Education Oversight committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 2137 modifies Oklahoma's criminal procedure laws to clarify how courts handle defendants found incompetent to stand trial who may regain competency. It requires courts to hold new hearings if medical staff report potential competency restoration and mandates strict procedures for authorizing involuntary medication (including psychiatric medication) to restore competency, including requiring petitioners to prove necessity with "clear and convincing evidence." The bill ensures defendants receive legal representation, 30-day hearing deadlines, and specific court findings on medical necessity, alternatives, and the defendant's wishes. It directly affects individuals in criminal cases under involuntary competency restoration, ensuring due process while allowing medication administration only when medically justified and legally permissible.

Maddy summaryHB 3710 is a procedural bill that establishes the name and effective date for the "Common Education Policy Act of 2026." It does not create new policies or regulations; it only names the legislation and sets its effective date as November 1, 2026. The bill directly affects how the legislation is referenced in official records but does not change any education laws or impact specific groups. It is purely administrative, with no substantive policy provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 4274 removes residency requirements for children of active-duty military personnel seeking to transfer schools within Oklahoma. It requires school districts to accept these students as "in-district" for enrollment purposes without needing proof of local residence, treating them as if they live within the district. Eligibility requires the student's parent to have a Department of Defense ID and either reside with a relative in the district or plan to move there within six months. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and mandates districts to accept electronic enrollment applications and maintain special education services for these students.