Rep. Jacob Rosecrants

Maddy summaryHB 1495 creates a fee waiver program for students attending Oklahoma public higher education institutions whose parents have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The bill requires institutions to waive all tuition, fees, and enrollment costs for eligible students for up to four years or until they earn a bachelor's degree, provided they maintain good academic standing. To qualify, students must provide documentation of their parent's disability (e.g., SSDI award letter or medical certification) and be enrolled in an Oklahoma institution. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will oversee implementation, verify eligibility, and require annual reporting on participation rates.

Maddy summaryHB 1494 appropriates $150,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the State Department of Education for geographic literacy programs in public schools. The funds will be used to contract with a qualified Oklahoma-based nonprofit organization specializing in geography education to train teachers and improve geography instruction statewide. This bill directly affects Oklahoma public school educators and students by enhancing curriculum resources through a partnership with a nonprofit focused on geography. The appropriation is effective July 1, 2025, with no additional funding requirements beyond the specified amount.

Maddy summaryHB 1144 allows Oklahoma public school students in grades K-12 to take one excused absence per semester for mental health reasons, without requiring documentation from parents or healthcare providers. This policy directly affects students and schools by adding mental health as a valid reason for an excused absence under existing attendance rules. The key mechanism is a clear provision in the bill stating students may miss one school day per semester for mental health support, with no need for verification. This change simplifies access to mental health breaks while maintaining school attendance standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1954 creates the Grants for Recovering, Improving, and Thriving (GRIT) program under Oklahoma's emergency management system. It provides financial assistance to small political subdivisions (populations under 6,000) directly impacted by FEMA-declared disasters when they cannot cover required local matching funds for federal recovery programs. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management will administer the program using a new revolving fund in the state treasury, which receives and manages dedicated state appropriations. This fund operates continuously without fiscal year limits to support GRIT grants, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Oklahoma law to allow students to be excused from school for mental health counseling or occupational therapy appointments. To qualify for this absence, a parent or guardian must submit a written request before the appointment and provide documentation from a licensed provider confirming the child's participation. The provision applies to students under 18 who have not completed four years of high school work and is intended to ensure these students can receive necessary care without facing truancy penalties. It does not change existing rules for other excused absences, such as those for religious observances or military funerals.