SB 553: Schools; directing revocation of certification and dismissal for failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Effective date. Emergency. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was moved from the House version to the Senate floor version, with formatting adjustments and the addition of a committee substitute designation. The substantive policy content appears unchanged at this stage, as only the header information and page formatting were modified between versions.

Scope change

None - the bill's scope and applicability remain the same; only presentation format changed

TECHNICAL

Header changed from 'HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' to 'SENATE FLOOR VERSION' with updated date (March 4, 2025) and committee designation

Page numbering and formatting adjusted to reflect Senate floor version with bold face notation for committee amendments

Removed House-specific page headers and added Senate-specific page headers and version identifiers

Committee Substitute → Floor (House) · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill text was reformatted from a Committee Substitute version to a House Floor version, with minor spacing adjustments throughout. No substantive policy changes were made to the actual legislative content.

TECHNICAL

Document formatting changed from 'Committee Substitute' to 'Floor Version' with adjusted line spacing and page headers.

Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 → Committee Substitute · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify and strengthen provisions regarding school employee certification, particularly around criminal convictions and abuse-related offenses. The changes add specific reasons why certificates cannot be issued or revoked, including convictions for crimes involving sexual abuse under Oklahoma law. The amendment also updates statutory references and clarifies the State Board of Education's authority over licensure and certification.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include more specific prohibitions on certifying individuals convicted of certain offenses, particularly those involving sexual abuse, and clarified the State Board of Education's authority to revoke certificates.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific grounds for not issuing or revoking teacher certificates, including convictions for crimes involving sexual abuse under 21 O.S. 843.5

ENFORCEMENT

Strengthened the State Board of Education's authority to revoke certificates of individuals convicted of specified offenses

TECHNICAL

Updated statutory references and formatting to conform to the Committee Substitute version

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for including specific information in certain letters and annual attestations by school employees

Enrolled (final version) → Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was converted from an enrolled final version to a proposed committee substitute version, which is a procedural document showing the House of Representatives' proposed amendments. The substantive policy content of the bill remains unchanged, as the committee substitute text mirrors the enrolled version's provisions regarding school board powers, teacher certification restrictions, and reporting requirements. This represents a procedural update rather than a policy change.

Scope change

No substantive scope change; the bill's applicability and coverage remain the same as the enrolled version.

TECHNICAL

Document formatting changed from enrolled Senate bill format to proposed committee substitute format with different header information and page numbering.

Added committee amendment metadata including sponsor name (Danny Sterling), date (4/17/2025), and committee information.

Removed enrolled bill header information and replaced with committee substitute formatting.

Engrossed → Enrolled (final version) · 4 edits · May 12, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was finalized and enrolled for signature, with substantive changes to the certification requirements for school employees. The enrolled version adds specific criminal offenses related to sexual abuse and exploitation that disqualify individuals from obtaining or retaining teaching certificates, expands the list of statutes covered, and clarifies the reporting requirements for out-of-state convictions.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on school certification and employment standards, but the eligibility criteria for certification were expanded to include additional criminal offenses and clarified the application to out-of-state convictions.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific criminal statutes (including 843.1, 865 et seq., 885, 888, 891, 1021, 1021.2, 1021.3, 1040.13a, 1087, 1088, 1111.1, 1114, and 1123 of Title 21) that disqualify individuals from certification if they involve sexual abuse or exploitation.

Updated the reference for defining sexual abuse and sexual exploitation from Section 843.5 of Title 21 to Section 1-1-105 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes.

REQUIREMENT

Added provisions requiring the State Board of Education to revoke certificates of individuals who enter Oklahoma and have been convicted, received a suspended sentence, or received a deferred judgment for crimes that would be disqualifying if committed in Oklahoma.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document header from 'ENGROSSED SENATE' to 'ENROLLED SENATE' and updated sponsor names to include Nice, indicating final passage and readiness for the Governor's signature.

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · Mar 24, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended from its original introduced version to an engrossed version, adding new sections that expand the bill's scope beyond just criminal history record checks. The engrossed version now includes amendments to multiple statutes covering State Board of Education powers, certification prohibitions, teacher dismissal reasons, professional development reporting, and abuse reporting requirements. This significantly broadens the legislation from a single focus on background checks to a comprehensive education policy package.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from solely addressing criminal history record checks for school employment to include multiple additional education-related provisions covering certification, dismissal, professional development, and abuse reporting requirements.

SCOPE

Added new sections amending 70 O.S. 2021 Section 3-104 regarding State Board of Education powers and duties

Added amendments to Section 3-104.1 prohibiting certification of individuals convicted of certain offenses

ENFORCEMENT

Added amendments to Section 6-101.22 regarding reasons for dismissal of career teachers

REQUIREMENT

Added amendments to Section 6-194 regarding professional development programs and reporting requirements

Added amendments to Section 1210.163 requiring annual attestation and abuse reporting requirements

TECHNICAL

Changed bill header from 'AS INTRODUCED' to 'ENGROSSED SENATE' indicating legislative progression

Schools; directing revocation of certification and dismissal for failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Effective date. Emergency.

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