Education

signed · Oklahoma · House May 30, 2025

HB 1282: Scholarships; Oklahoma Rising Scholars Award; renaming; eligibility; awards; waivers; effective date; emergency.

HB 1282 renames Oklahoma's scholarship program to the "Oklahoma State Regents' Academic Rising Scholars Award Program" and updates eligibility criteria to include top Oklahoma students (top 0.5% test scores, National Merit Scholars, and institutional nominees), as well as students demonstrating exceptional promise through academic achievements or overcoming obstacles. The program provides funding covering tuition, fees, room, board, and required textbooks for up to five years at Oklahoma colleges, with public institutions capped at their annual tuition costs and private institutions receiving funding equivalent to the highest public tuition rates. It requires institutions to administer scholarships, mandates full-time enrollment, and establishes separate funding levels based on student eligibility categories. The bill, signed into law on May 30, 2025, directly affects Oklahoma students meeting these academic criteria who attend public or private accredited colleges within the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands scholarship eligibility and funds tuition/fees for top students, directly increasing educational access and financial support for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

passed both · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 331: Schools; creating the Emerson Kate Cole Act; requiring a school employee to call 911 if Epinephrine is administered to a student; requiring certain training. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 331, the Emerson Kate Cole Act, requires Oklahoma school employees to call 911 immediately after administering Epinephrine to a student experiencing an allergic reaction. It also mandates schools to notify parents or guardians when a student has a possible allergic reaction and to provide annual training for teachers and staff on recognizing anaphylaxis and using Epinephrine. The law amends existing school medication policies to clarify procedures for handling allergic emergencies and ensures staff are trained on emergency response. This directly affects students with severe allergies, school employees, and school districts across Oklahoma.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires school staff training and emergency protocols for allergic reactions, strengthening student safety in K-12 school operations.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school staff training and 911 calls for epinephrine administration during allergic reactions, improving emergency medical response access and protecting student health in schools.90% confidence

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 845: Higher education; directing institution of higher education governing boards to ensure certain actions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion do not occur. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 845 prohibits Oklahoma public universities from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, requiring DEI statements for hiring or admissions, or mandating DEI training based on race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. It mandates that governing boards certify compliance with these restrictions before receiving state funds for the 2026 fiscal year and requires annual testimony to legislative committees about compliance. Universities must also adopt disciplinary procedures for employees violating these rules, and the State Auditor must conduct audits to ensure funds aren’t misused. The bill explicitly exempts academic instruction, research, student organizations, and efforts supporting underserved students without racial criteria.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits DEI offices, statements, and training in public universities, restricting diversity initiatives in higher education as defined by the topic.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill prohibits DEI hiring/training in universities, restricting inclusive employment standards and anti-discrimination efforts in workplace practices.85% confidence

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1144: Schools; attendance; allowing one day per semester for an excused absence for student mental health; effective date; emergency.

HB 1144 allows Oklahoma public school students to take one excused absence per semester for mental health reasons without requiring documentation from parents or students. This policy directly affects all K-12 students in Oklahoma public schools by expanding valid reasons for excused absences beyond traditional medical or family emergencies. The key provision limits mental health absences to a single full school day each semester, with no need for verification like a doctor's note. It does not change existing rules for other excused absences (such as for 4-H activities or online course participation) but adds mental health as a standalone, no-documentation reason. The bill amends Oklahoma's school attendance statutes to include this specific provision.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by allowing mental health absences without documentation, supporting student well-being and attendance in K-12 schools.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows excused mental health absences without documentation, removing barriers to accessing care and aligning with mental health support policies.92% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 848: Education funding; creating the Oklahoma Independent Education Act; requiring development of plan to phase out acceptance and use of certain federal funds. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 848, the "Oklahoma Independent Education Act," prohibits Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools from using federal or state funds to support activities promoting sexual orientation or gender identity. It requires the state to develop a plan to phase out federal education funding (for pre-K through 12th grade) and replace it with state funds, including a timeline and funding needs analysis. The bill establishes a working group to monitor implementation, exempting it from open meeting and records laws, and mandates that schools stop using funds for the prohibited activities. This directly affects all Oklahoma public schools receiving federal education funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires state to replace federal education funding with state funds, increasing state budget allocation for education programs.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits funding for SOGI-related activities and mandates phasing out federal education funds, restricting curriculum and defunding federal programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 1130: University Hospitals Authority; making an appropriation; stating purpose. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1130 appropriates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fulfill its legal duties. The bill directly affects the State Board of Education by providing funding for its operations. It declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval, though it does not change existing education policies or create new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100,000 from General Revenue Fund to State Board of Education for operations, fulfilling legal duties without policy changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $100k to State Board of Education for operations, directly funding educational governance without restrictions or policy changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Higher Education

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1006: Schools; Ten Commandments; display; procedures; effective date; emergency.

HB 1006 requires all Oklahoma public school classrooms to display a specific, durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The display must measure at least 16x20 inches, include the exact text provided in the bill, and be visible from anywhere in the classroom. Schools may accept privately donated displays meeting these specifications or replace non-compliant existing displays, and must donate unused displays to other public schools. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates religious content (Ten Commandments) in all K-12 classrooms, restricting secular curriculum standards and academic freedom per established educational policy norms.95% confidence

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1493: Schools; the Growing Minds, Active Kids Act; requiring school districts to incorporate thirty minutes of daily recess for certain grades.

HB 1493, the "Growing Minds, Active Kids Act," requires Oklahoma public school districts to provide at least 30 minutes of daily recess for students in prekindergarten through grade 5. This recess must occur outdoors when possible and is separate from existing physical education requirements. The bill also recommends 30 minutes of daily recess for grades 6-8 but does not mandate it, while requiring compliance with students' individualized education plans (IEPs) and exempting virtual charter schools from the rule. The law aims to support student well-being through structured playtime during the school day.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates 30+ min daily outdoor recess for K-5, enhancing student well-being and activity programs per bill's requirement.90% confidence

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 17, 2025

HB 2831: Schools; requiring students who attend a physical school location to also attend concurrent enrollment classes at a physical school location; effective date; emergency.

HB 2831 requires high school students attending physical campuses to take concurrent enrollment college courses in person at their school building or a nearby college campus, eliminating virtual attendance for these classes. It applies directly to Oklahoma public and charter school students enrolled in concurrent enrollment programs. The bill also maintains tuition waivers for eligible seniors (18 credits) and juniors (9 credits) and mandates annual reports tracking participation and outcomes. Key provisions focus on requiring physical attendance for concurrent enrollment classes while preserving existing financial support and reporting requirements. This policy change specifically alters how students access college courses while enrolled in traditional high schools.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts virtual concurrent enrollment access, eliminating remote options for students while mandating in-person attendance at physical locations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Choice

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died · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 19, 2025

SB 339: Higher education; prohibiting tuition and fee rates at certain institutions of higher education from exceeding rates of certain academic year. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 339 would freeze tuition and fees at Oklahoma public universities and colleges at 2024-2025 approved rates for the 2025-2026 academic year. It directly affects all institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education by prohibiting any rate increases beyond the previous academic year's approved levels. The key provision requires institutions to maintain tuition and fee rates no higher than those set for 2024-2025, effective July 1, 2025. This policy change aims to limit cost increases for students at public higher education institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFreezes tuition at 2024-2025 rates to prevent cost increases, protecting students from higher expenses and supporting affordability in higher education access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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