Education (Special Education)

signed · Oklahoma · House May 12, 2026

HB 3718: Special education; Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; requiring certain meeting in certain time period; evaluations; exceptions; eligibility; calculation of scholarship; effective date.

This bill establishes and clarifies the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program in Oklahoma, allowing parents of students with special needs to use state funds to enroll their children in eligible private schools. The legislation defines specific eligibility criteria, including students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), children of military families, and those in foster care or juvenile justice placements, while requiring parents to secure private school admission before receiving funding. It also sets a 45-day deadline for school districts to determine special education eligibility, deeming students eligible for scholarships if the district fails to decide within that timeframe, and outlines financial responsibilities such as transportation costs remaining with the family. The bill ensures continuity of educational choice by allowing scholarships to remain active until a student graduates, turns 22, or re-enrolls in public school, while mandating that private schools meet state accreditation standards to participate.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by allowing state funds for private school enrollment for students with disabilities, strengthening support for special needs education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education Student Financial Aid

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 1489: Students; directing compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; requiring publication of certain information. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1489 requires Oklahoma public schools and the State Department of Education to comply with federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) standards for students with disabilities aged 3-21. It mandates that school districts provide special education services as defined by IDEA and authorizes using federal funds for these services. The bill specifically requires the State Department to publish online dispute resolution options for parents, including IEP facilitation, mediation, due process, and state complaints. This bill affects all Oklahoma public school districts, students with disabilities, and their families, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates IDEA compliance for special education services, ensures federal funds usage, and publishes dispute resolution options to protect student access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1974: Students; providing eligibility for special education and related services; providing for evaluation and reevaluation; providing for dispute resolution. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1974 amends Oklahoma statutes (70 O.S. 2021 Sections 13-101 and 13-102) to update eligibility for special education services for children with disabilities, including specific learning disabilities. It requires school districts to conduct evaluations within defined timeframes, clarifies consent requirements for services, and mandates specific team compositions for Individualized Education Program (IEP) development. The bill strengthens due process procedures by requiring prior notice for evaluations, establishing clear dispute resolution steps, and directing the State Board of Education to create procedural safeguards for parents. It directly affects school districts, parents or legal guardians, and children aged 3-22 who qualify for special education services under Oklahoma law. The changes focus on procedural clarity and timely service delivery without altering eligibility criteria or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates special education eligibility, evaluation timelines, and due process, strengthening student access to services under K-12 education policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 1594: Teachers; adding requirement for school principal certification. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1594 requires Oklahoma school principals to complete specific professional education on special education laws and practices, including federal/state regulations, individualized education programs (IEPs), and student discipline procedures. This applies to all principals seeking or renewing certification, except those who earned their master's degree in education administration before July 1, 2005. The bill amends existing certification rules (Section 6-189) to mandate this training as part of the principal certification requirements. It does not change other existing requirements like master's degrees or teaching experience.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates principal training on special education laws and IEPs, strengthening educational leadership standards for K-12 schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 1617: Teachers; allowing the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund to be used to support compensation of teachers certified in special education. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1617 amends Oklahoma law to direct the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund to cover the state’s share of additional pay for special education teachers. It requires school districts to pay 5% of base wages for special education teachers, with the state covering the remaining 5% using funds from the existing revolving fund (previously used for other teacher stipends). This policy change, effective July 1, 2026, directly affects all Oklahoma public school teachers certified in special education. The bill ensures the state’s funding obligation is met through the revolving fund rather than new appropriations, aligning with Section 13-110 of state law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly allocates state funds to cover 5% of special education teacher compensation, increasing financial support for educators in a critical teaching field.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 3019: Schools; phasing in a reduction to the maximum number of students allowed per class in kindergarten through fifth grades; exceptions; effective date; emergency.

HB 3019 reduces maximum class sizes for Oklahoma public schools in kindergarten through fifth grade over a three-year phase-in. Starting in 2026-2027, classes in kindergarten through second grade may not exceed 22 students; this limit drops to 20 students in 2027-2028, and 18 students starting in 2028-2029. To comply, schools must employ a teacher’s assistant in classes exceeding these limits (with exceptions for special education and certain other classes), and teacher assistants cannot count toward the class size limit. School districts that fail to meet these requirements face reduced state funding calculated based on the number of students over the limit.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationReduces K-5 class sizes to 18 students by 2028-2029 with teacher assistant requirements, improving student-teacher ratios and classroom support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Special Education Teachers

Track

signed · Oklahoma · House May 11, 2026

HB 4274: Schools; interdistrict transfers; active duty military families; district of choice; residency; enrollment; effective date; emergency.

HB 4274 removes residency requirements for children of active-duty military personnel seeking to transfer schools within Oklahoma. It requires school districts to accept these students as "in-district" for enrollment purposes without needing proof of local residence, treating them as if they live within the district. Eligibility requires the student's parent to have a Department of Defense ID and either reside with a relative in the district or plan to move there within six months. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and mandates districts to accept electronic enrollment applications and maintain special education services for these students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves residency barriers for military children's school enrollment, expanding educational access without funding changes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

signed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 23, 2025

SB 808: Practice of physical therapy; clarifying certain exemption from referral. Effective date.

SB 808 clarifies Oklahoma's physical therapy referral rules, allowing licensed physical therapists (and assistants under supervision) to evaluate and treat patients without a doctor's referral for up to 30 days, except for workers' compensation cases. It specifically exempts children receiving physical therapy under federal special education laws (IDEA/504), screening/education services, and non-injury-related fitness/wellness programs. The bill explicitly states physical therapists cannot practice "healing arts" beyond their scope and maintains existing restrictions on non-therapeutic services. Signed into law on April 23, 2025, it takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts IDEA/504 special education services, facilitating physical therapy access for students without referral barriers.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves referral barrier for physical therapy access, improving patient access to care without expanding coverage or funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2244: Schools; corporal punishment; requiring school districts to report corporal punishment administration annually; effective date; emergency.

HB 2244 requires Oklahoma school districts to annually report detailed data on corporal punishment use, including the number of incidents, student demographics (grade, age, race, gender, disability status), and staff involved. It prohibits school personnel from using corporal punishment on students with significant cognitive disabilities unless specifically addressed in a special education plan (IEP) or with written parental consent. The bill directly affects students with disabilities and school districts, mandating transparency in discipline practices. The State Department of Education must compile these reports and share them with the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth annually. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRestricts corporal punishment for students with disabilities, enhancing student protection in schools per bill's prohibition and reporting requirements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

Track

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 364: Schools; prohibiting use of corporal punishment on any student identified with a disability.

SB 364 prohibits Oklahoma public schools from using physical punishment (corporal punishment) on students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, as defined by state education criteria. It removes any prior allowance for waivers and requires that any exception must be explicitly documented in a student's individualized education program (IEP) under federal special education law. The law directly affects students with significant cognitive disabilities in Oklahoma schools, ensuring they cannot be subjected to physical punishment without specific IEP authorization. It takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits corporal punishment for students with disabilities, protecting vulnerable learners and aligning with special education safeguards under federal law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education