SB 1737 prohibits Oklahoma public school districts from offering any sex education class or program. It removes existing statutory requirements that previously allowed districts to provide such instruction (under specific abstinence-focused guidelines) and eliminates parental opt-out procedures for sex education. The bill amends Oklahoma statutes (25 O.S. § 2003 and 70 O.S. § 11-105.1) to delete language about developing sex education policies, curriculum approval, and parental inspection rights related to sex education. This directly affects public school districts, students, and parents by preventing the provision of formal sex education in Oklahoma schools.
HB 3023, the Strong Readers Act, requires annual reading screenings for all kindergarten through third-grade students in Oklahoma public schools to identify reading deficiencies. Students not meeting grade-level targets must receive tailored intervention plans within 15 days, including evidence-based instruction in phonological awareness, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Third-grade students who do not meet benchmarks face mandatory retention unless they qualify for exceptions or participate in tutoring or summer academies. The bill mandates approved screening tools, weekly progress reporting to the State Department of Education, and exemptions for students with disabilities, English language learners, or those using Braille/sign language.
HB 3332 creates a new defined contribution retirement plan for Oklahoma teachers hired on or after November 1, 2026, replacing the existing defined benefit system for these new employees. Certified teachers and school staff who start working after this date must choose between the new plan and the traditional retirement system through a one-time, irrevocable election. Under the new plan, employees and employers contribute to personal retirement accounts, with benefits based on contributions and investment returns rather than final salary. The Teachers' Retirement System will manage the plan’s trust, investment options, and account distributions, while current teachers remain in the existing defined benefit system.
HB 3939 allocates $10 million from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for workforce development programs in the Tulsa Metropolitan area. The funds will contract with a nonprofit focused on charitable and educational work to partner with schools and agencies, aiming to eliminate barriers to equitable opportunities and economic mobility for all students. The bill directs these programs to include workshops and initiatives specifically targeting student access to economic advancement. It becomes effective July 1, 2026.
HB 4158 increases the income threshold for Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grants from $50,000 to $80,000 annually for students' parents (or $80,000 for independent students). This change directly affects Oklahoma residents whose family income previously exceeded $50,000 but now qualifies them for the $2,000 annual grant. The bill amends existing eligibility rules under Section 2632 of Oklahoma law, maintaining other requirements like full-time enrollment and institutional accreditation. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with emergency status.
HB 3956 waives tuition and fees at Oklahoma public colleges and universities for veterans who were honorably discharged and certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs with a 100% permanent disability directly related to military service (including injury, accident, or disease incurred during active duty). The bill requires VA certification of the disability as the sole eligibility criterion. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and is designated as an emergency measure. This policy change directly affects qualifying veterans seeking higher education within Oklahoma's public system, removing financial barriers for this specific group.
HB 3009 amends Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Program to increase and adjust tax credits for families using private schools or alternative education. It sets income-based credit limits: up to $7,500 annually for households earning under $75,000, decreasing to $5,000 for those earning over $250,000. The credit covers qualified expenses like private school tuition, tutoring, textbooks, and standardized test fees for eligible students (Oklahoma residents in accredited private schools or alternative education programs). Taxpayers must submit receipts to claim the credit, which applies to tax years 2024 and beyond. The bill directly affects Oklahoma parents, guardians, and students enrolled in qualifying educational settings.
HB 3677 amends Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Program to expand tax credits for families using private education. It directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers with eligible students attending accredited private schools or certain alternative education programs. The bill establishes income-based credit amounts (ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 annually), covers tuition, tutoring, materials, and assessments, and adds special provisions for schools serving homeless students or financially disadvantaged students. The Oklahoma Tax Commission must publish monthly updates on the program via its website, with the changes effective for tax year 2024 and beyond.
SB 2070 strengthens oversight of Oklahoma charter schools by adding detailed requirements for new applications and annual performance reviews. It mandates 10 hours of state-approved training for applicants and sponsors before submitting applications, and requires 34 specific items in applications - including financial plans, academic alignment, disability support plans, and organizational charts. The bill also requires sponsors to conduct annual performance reviews, post summaries on their websites, and include specific data in reports to the Statewide Charter School Board. These changes directly affect charter school applicants, sponsors, and governing boards by increasing transparency and accountability in school operations.
SB 1634 prohibits Oklahoma's State Department of Education from accepting federal funds intended to expand school-based health care services or establish health centers. It requires the Department to review and terminate existing contracts related to such services, and mandates school districts to do the same. The bill also directs a review of individualized education programs (IEPs) to remove medical services not deemed educationally necessary, replacing them with Section 504 plans if appropriate. These changes directly affect public schools, charter schools, and the State Department of Education in how they manage health-related services under federal funding and student plans. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
