HB 4427 requires Oklahoma's State Board of Education to create rules defining "distinguished qualifications" for adjunct teachers, including minimum experience and education requirements. It prohibits adjunct teachers without a valid teaching certificate from instructing core subjects in prekindergarten through fourth grade unless a school district obtains a waiver from the State Board. The bill also mandates annual reports from the State Department of Education detailing adjunct teacher qualifications, subject areas taught, and their distinguished experience. These reports must be published online and shared with legislators by January 15 each year. The law directly affects school districts, adjunct teachers, and the State Board of Education, with no impact on standard teaching certification requirements.
This 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.
HB 4298 amends Oklahoma's child care licensing rules to improve oversight and standards for licensed facilities. It requires the Department of Human Services to create specialized advisory committees (for residential care, child care centers, homes, and quality ratings) with specific representation from facility owners, parents, Native American advocates, and service providers. The bill also prohibits children from being left unsupervised with teens under 18, bans soft bedding/toys in infant sleeping areas, and mandates 60 days' electronic notice to licensees before rule changes take effect. These provisions directly affect all licensed child care centers, homes, and residential facilities in Oklahoma, with the law taking effect November 1, 2026.
HB 4338 amends Oklahoma's existing Brine Development Act to clarify definitions and update the law's purpose. It specifically defines key terms like "brine" (subterranean saltwater containing minerals such as lithium and bromine), "brine owner," and "solution gas," while emphasizing public policy goals like reusing produced water. The bill directly affects brine producers, regulators (Oklahoma Corporation Commission), and companies extracting minerals from brine, by establishing clearer operational rules for brine development. It does not create new programs but refines existing legal language for greater precision in how brine resources are managed. The changes take effect November 1, 2026.
This bill proposes changes to Oklahoma's voting eligibility rules for individuals with criminal convictions. It would modify the current law regarding when felons regain their right to vote after completing their sentences. The amendment seeks to restore specific language that defines the conditions under which convicted felons can vote again. This legislation directly affects people with criminal records who are seeking to restore their voting rights. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has been referred to the Judiciary Committee for further review.
HB 4275 standardizes certification rules for two mental health roles in Oklahoma: behavioral health case managers and peer recovery support specialists. It requires the Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to establish uniform education, exam, supervision, and continuing education standards for these professionals. The bill applies to individuals employed by state/local governments, contracted service providers, tribal facilities, or VA facilities, and restricts certified titles to these specific employment settings. Certification fees are capped at $100, and failure to comply with rules may result in suspension or revocation. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 4104 expands Oklahoma's sex offender registration requirements by adding 38 new offenses to the list that trigger mandatory registration. It amends Oklahoma Statutes to require registration for convictions involving second or subsequent domestic violence offenses, stalking, certain animal cruelty, specific violations of the Sex Offenders Registration Act (like failing to register), and other specified crimes. This affects individuals convicted of any of these newly designated offenses, including repeat domestic abuse, stalking, or offenses related to non-compliance with registration rules. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, and does not address loitering as implied by its title.
HB 4302 grants Oklahoma's Office of Juvenile System Oversight new authority to inspect children's facilities (both state-operated and privately run facilities receiving state/federal funding) and subpoena child or juvenile records from these entities. It requires the Office to conduct unannounced annual inspections, investigate complaints about the children's system, and handle foster parent grievances related to safety concerns. The bill mandates confidentiality for complainants, with limited exceptions only when a safety threat is communicated. This directly affects children's facilities, foster parents, and oversight staff by strengthening accountability mechanisms within Oklahoma's juvenile system.
HB 3673 changes Oklahoma's renewal process for certain electrical licenses, specifically affecting electricians with expired Unlimited Journeyman or Residential Journeyman licenses that have been inactive for over one year. It allows these licenses to be renewed without retaking the exam, provided applicants pay fees for each expired year (including a $200 maximum penalty per year), complete required continuing education (including six extra hours per year of expiration), and provide proof of no disciplinary action or disqualifying criminal conviction. The bill repeals the current license renewal rule (Section 1688) and requires the Construction Industries Board to create implementing rules within 180 days. This change applies only to journeyman licenses, not contractor licenses, and takes effect on November 1, 2026.
HB 3581 amends the effective date of a bill that makes certain acts during riots unlawful. The amendment changes the original November 1, 2026, effective date to take effect immediately upon passage, citing an "emergency" for public peace and safety. This adjustment allows the law to apply without delay, directly affecting individuals who engage in specified conduct during civil disturbances. The bill itself focuses on defining and penalizing specific riot-related actions, though the amendment primarily addresses timing rather than altering the core prohibitions.
SB 2045 requires public elementary schools serving full-day pre-kindergarten through fifth grade to provide at least 30 minutes of daily recess as a condition of state accreditation. This applies to all students in those grades, with recess allowed to be split into segments and required to occur outdoors when weather and conditions permit. The bill removes previous recommendations about recess and instead mandates it as a distinct requirement separate from the existing 60-minute weekly physical education requirement. Schools must comply by July 1, 2026, or risk losing accreditation.
SB 2018 amends Oklahoma property tax law to establish a specific valuation method for large residential rental housing developments. It defines "residential rental housing" as properties with at least 60 rental units and prescribes how county assessors must value these properties for ad valorem tax purposes. The bill updates statutory definitions and requirements in Sections 2802 and 2817 of the Oklahoma Statutes, ensuring these properties are assessed using a method consistent with market value standards. This change directly affects county tax assessors and owners of large multi-unit rental properties across Oklahoma.
