Schools; allowing a school district or charter school to employ or accept as a volunteer one or more chaplains; requiring certain record check. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 590 allows Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools to hire or accept as volunteers religious leaders (chaplains) to provide support to students and staff, without requiring state certification. Schools must conduct criminal background checks through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for all chaplains and cannot employ individuals who are sex offenders or required to register as such. The bill explicitly prohibits students or school employees from being forced to seek services from a chaplain. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all Oklahoma public schools and charter schools.