Education (School Safety)

SB 371 requires Oklahoma school districts to create policies blocking students from accessing social media platforms (including social networks, blogs, video sharing, and photo sharing) on school-owned computers or devices while on school premises. The bill defines "social media" broadly to cover all interactive online platforms where users contribute content. School boards must adopt these policies by a specified deadline, with rules to be developed by the state education agency. The law takes immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.

SB 788, the "Students’ Bill of Rights," creates specific protections for students in Oklahoma public schools and public charter schools. It guarantees rights including a safe environment free from bullying, an education free from "socialism, communism, or Marxism," no display of socialist/communist symbols in classrooms or school events, religious expression rights (like voluntary prayer and reading religious texts), and protection from punishment for lawful conduct. The bill requires schools to respond in writing within seven business days to written complaints about rights violations and allows legal action with attorney fees for successful claims, though lawsuits about bullying require prior notification and multiple incidents. It directly affects all students, parents, and school districts in Oklahoma public education.