HB 1256 creates a Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund using fines from license violations in electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and roofing trades. The fund finances contracts between the Construction Industries Board and career tech schools to develop trade-specific curriculum and promote skilled trade careers through public campaigns. It directs fines from four licensing revolving funds into this new account, requiring grantees to report on fund usage and program success. The bill directly affects trade workers, vocational schools receiving contracts, and the Construction Industries Board, which manages the fund and oversees program implementation.
HB 2153 modifies Oklahoma charter school enrollment rules, primarily affecting students, families, and school districts. It requires charter schools to give enrollment priority to students with siblings already enrolled (over other preferences), limits admissions to specific geographic "academic enterprise zones" (60%+ free/reduced lunch eligibility), and establishes new rules for virtual charter schools. Effective July 2024, virtual charter schools become statewide entities, students transferring to them are considered "transfer students" requiring district record transfers within 3 days, and virtual charter students may not participate in Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSAA) events (only intramural activities). The bill also prohibits enrollment restrictions based on factors like ethnicity, income, or academic performance, except for specified cases.
HB 1909 creates the Oklahoma Youth Advisory Council, a 53-member body for youth aged 14-19 enrolled in Oklahoma high school (including online, charter, or GED programs). The council includes 48 members appointed by state senators (one per district) and 5 tribal representatives to ensure diversity, with members serving one-year terms. Its key duties include advising legislators on youth issues like education and health, holding at least four annual meetings (two during legislative sessions), and submitting annual reports to a designated Review Committee. The bill establishes a formal process for membership applications, leadership roles, and public meeting transparency.
HB 1094 requires Oklahoma public schools to teach about the "atrocities of communism" to students in grades six through twelve starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The State Department of Education must develop grade-appropriate curriculum resources and integrate this content into existing courses, covering causes, human costs, societal impacts, and comparisons with U.S. constitutional principles. Teachers must receive professional development on this topic, with "communism" defined to include historical regimes like the Soviet Union and Cambodia. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 407 requires Oklahoma public school districts receiving federal funds under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for English learner programs to dedicate 50% of those funds to professional development for teachers who teach English as a second language. This applies specifically to districts using ESSA funds to support students with limited English proficiency. The bill mandates this allocation as a direct policy change, with no additional requirements beyond the funding reallocation. It takes effect immediately upon passage due to an emergency declaration.
Oklahoma Senate Bill 954 prohibits discrimination against students and employees in public schools and higher education institutions based on race, ethnicity, religion, sex, disability, national origin, or marital status. It specifically defines "antisemitism" to include actions like supporting Hamas, participating in certain protests (e.g., encampments targeting Jewish students), or boycotts of Israeli entities, while clarifying that criticism of Israel is not antisemitism. The bill requires schools to integrate this definition into conduct codes, treat antisemitic harassment identically to racist harassment, and provide equal access to programs and services. It directly affects all Oklahoma public schools, colleges, and their students, staff, and faculty by mandating policy changes to address discrimination.
SB 1249 prohibits Oklahoma public universities from using state funds to provide scholarships, grants, tuition aid, or discounted tuition to foreign national students starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. This directly affects public higher education institutions in Oklahoma's state system (like the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University) and foreign national students who would have received state-funded financial aid. The bill requires the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to create implementing rules and takes effect on July 1, 2026. The law does not change eligibility for federal aid or private scholarships.
HB 1276 requires Oklahoma public school districts to adopt policies banning student cell phones and personal electronic devices (like tablets, smartwatches, or laptops) during the entire school day and on school grounds, effective July 2025. Exceptions are permitted for medical emergencies documented by a licensed professional. School boards may opt out of the ban through annual approval, but must still allow device use for emergencies. The bill defines "personal electronic devices" to exclude school-issued tech used for instruction and clarifies "school day" as the full instructional period from first to last bell. It directly affects all K-12 students and school districts in Oklahoma.
HB 2696 requires Oklahoma public schools to provide parents, guardians, or students aged 18+ with full access to individual student records - such as assessments, progress reports, and internal communications - without redaction or omission, except when legally prohibited. Schools must release these records promptly, free of charge, and in a timely manner per the Oklahoma Open Records Act. The bill clarifies that directory information (e.g., name, address, sports participation) may still be released only with parental consent for minors, but schools cannot withhold it without following federal privacy rules. This law, effective November 1, 2025, aims to increase transparency in educational record access while maintaining compliance with federal student privacy laws.
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Government Transparency
SB 142 updates Oklahoma's minimum salary schedule for certified school personnel (including teachers) in public schools, effective for the 2025-2026 school year. It sets new minimum pay rates based on years of experience and education level, such as $39,601 for a bachelor's degree with 0 experience, increasing to $59,153 for a master's degree with 25+ years. The bill also clarifies that "fringe benefits" exclude certain retirement contributions and requires school districts to notify teachers if their salary would fall below the new minimums. This is a direct compensation adjustment affecting all Oklahoma public school teachers under the state's salary framework.
