HB 2802 Oklahoma House · 2026 Regular Session

Professions and occupations; additional terms; effective date.

HB 2802 amends Oklahoma's licensing laws for professions and occupations to limit when criminal history can block a license. It prohibits denial based on sealed/expunged records, arrests without conviction, or convictions over five years old (unless involving specific violent offenses like domestic abuse or sex offenses). Licensing agencies must now consider factors like the offense's relevance to the job, time passed, rehabilitation efforts, and provide written notice with appeal rights if denying a license. This directly affects applicants with criminal records seeking licenses for jobs like nursing, contracting, or childcare, ensuring decisions are based on specific, relevant criteria rather than vague standards.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Last action Apr 22, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Floor (House) Floor (Senate) · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended during its passage from the House to the Senate floor to strengthen protections for applicants seeking professional licenses. The Senate version adds clearer definitions for when criminal convictions should disqualify applicants, establishes specific exemptions for minor offenses, and requires licensing authorities to provide detailed written notice and appeal rights when denying licenses based on criminal history.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include more specific protections for applicants, including exemptions for sealed convictions, arrests without convictions, and older offenses (over 5 years), while maintaining disqualifications for serious crimes like domestic assault and sex offenses.
DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'pose a reasonable threat' to clarify that criminal conduct must involve harm against others and affect the ability to serve the public or work with others.

ELIGIBILITY

Added exemptions preventing denial of licenses for arrests without convictions, sealed/expunged convictions, and convictions older than 5 years (with exceptions for serious crimes like domestic assault and sex offenses).

REQUIREMENT

Required licensing authorities to provide written notice explaining the specific offense, reasons for denial, and the applicant's right to submit additional evidence within 30 days.

Added requirements for written notice of appeal rights under the Administrative Procedures Act and the earliest date an applicant may reapply for a license.

Allowed applicants to request a determination about whether their criminal history disqualifies them from obtaining a license, even before completing required education or training.

Floor votes · House Mar 3, 2025

How they voted

927
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 100
Mar 3, 2025
D Democratic19
18 Yea 1 Nay
94% Yea
R Republican81
74 Yea 6 Nay 1
91% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
15
Key actions
5
Committee
5
Apr 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Do Pass Business and Insurance committee; CR filed
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
upper
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Engrossed, signed, to Senate
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
Referred for engrossment
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 91 Nays: 7
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
CR; Do Pass Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Policy recommendation to the Commerce and Economic Development Oversight committee; Do Pass Business
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Committee
Referred to Business
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors