Maddy summarySB 1632 requires Oklahoma public schools to provide free career-readiness assessments to students in grades 10-12 starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The assessments measure foundational workplace skills like applied math, workplace documents, and critical thinking, and lead to nationally recognized credentials upon meeting proficiency standards. It shifts approval authority for these assessments from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to the State Department of Education, while directing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to establish rules for awarding college credit based on assessment results. The bill affects all Oklahoma public high school students in targeted grades and mandates school districts to administer the assessments at no cost to students who choose to participate.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 1553 amends Oklahoma's Medicaid appeal process to ensure appeals for denied claims are reviewed by qualified mental health professionals. It requires reviewers (like psychologists) to hold valid licenses, have relevant clinical experience, and avoid conflicts of interest, while banning automated review systems. The bill also establishes that if an appeal successfully reverses a denied claim, the psychologist or mental health provider can recover costs for time spent on the appeal. This directly affects Medicaid members, providers, and mental health professionals handling appeals.
Maddy summarySB 1325 requires courts to mandate GPS monitoring for defendants charged with specific domestic violence offenses - such as domestic abuse by strangulation, with a deadly weapon, or after a prior conviction - when released on bond. Defendants must pay all costs for the GPS device and monitoring, which the Oklahoma Department of Corrections will administer until the case concludes. Victims may also request limited location monitoring (e.g., alerts if the defendant nears specified locations, excluding their home or workplace), but only after a court finds evidence of the defendant’s intent to commit violence. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, and GPS devices must be removed if the defendant is acquitted, incarcerated, or the case dismissed.
Maddy summarySB 1884 ensures school districts grant statewide professional educators' associations (like teacher unions) equal access to school employees for activities such as distributing materials, speaking at meetings, and using school facilities. It prohibits schools from conditioning this access on fees, meals, or donations and requires districts to notify the State Board of Education if access is denied within 15 days. The bill also allows school employees to terminate membership in these associations at any time without restrictions or requiring a reason, and invalidates any existing agreements that limit this right. These changes take effect July 1, 2026, applying directly to school employees and educators' associations in Oklahoma.
Maddy summaryHB 3240 requires Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools to adopt a policy allowing daily prayer or reading of the Bible or other religious texts during school hours, effective for the 2026-2027 school year. The policy must include a consent form for students and employees, acknowledging their choice to participate, specifying opportunities for individual or group activities, and waiving legal claims under the First Amendment. Schools must prohibit participation without consent, ban public address system use for religious content, and ensure the activity does not replace instructional time. Parents or students may revoke consent at any time, and schools must provide a model consent form. This bill directly affects all Oklahoma public schools, students, and employees.
Maddy summaryHB 3242 requires public schools, public higher education institutions, and domestic violence shelters to designate restrooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters as exclusively for males or females. It prohibits students from sharing sleeping quarters with someone of the opposite sex unless they are family members (e.g., parent, sibling), and mandates single-sex facilities for all shared spaces where undressing occurs. Exceptions include emergencies, maintenance, and coaches entering locker rooms during athletic events under strict conditions (e.g., students fully clothed, accompanied by another adult). Noncompliant schools face a 5% state funding cut, and parents can sue school districts for violations. The law applies to all public K-12 schools, colleges, and shelters operating under state oversight.
Maddy summaryHB 3239 amends Oklahoma's veterinary practice law by clarifying definitions for veterinary professionals and practice standards. It updates terms like "veterinarian," "veterinary technician," "direct supervision," and "veterinarian-client-patient relationship" to ensure consistent application of regulations. The bill directly affects licensed veterinarians, veterinary technicians, assistants, and the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners by defining their roles and practice boundaries. This is a definitional update to the existing Oklahoma Veterinary Practice Act, not a new fee or procedural change.
Maddy summaryHB 4159, titled the "Education Reform Act of 2026," is a procedural bill that establishes the name of an upcoming education reform law and sets its effective date. It does not describe specific policy changes, funding mechanisms, or affected groups. The bill only designates the act's name and specifies it will take effect on November 1, 2026. No substantive provisions or direct impacts on students, schools, or educators are outlined in the provided text. This is a naming and scheduling measure, not a policy reform.
Maddy summaryHB 4153 requires minors under 18 in Oklahoma to demonstrate eighth-grade reading proficiency to obtain a driver's license or permit. This is primarily achieved by passing the state's eighth-grade reading assessment, completing a remedial plan if they fail, or using an approved alternative test (offered at public schools and other sites, with a $25 fee for retests). The bill also mandates that applicants show proof of school enrollment, graduation, or a valid exemption - such as a special education plan or affidavit for homeschooled students - unless they pass the reading test. Exceptions include out-of-state test results (verified by the state) and specific accommodations for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). These requirements apply to all new or renewed licenses for minors, with the Department of Public Safety denying applications that lack required documentation.
Maddy summarySB 844, titled the Safeguarding Endowment Gifts Act, aims to restrict how certain charitable organizations can use endowment funds under specific circumstances. The bill prohibits charitable organizations from diverting endowment funds for purposes other than their stated charitable mission when those funds were donated with explicit restrictions. It creates a new legal framework to safeguard donor intent for endowment gifts. (Note: The provided context does not include specific details about the prohibited uses, affected organizations, or implementation mechanisms beyond the title and committee actions.) The bill was referred to the Retirement and Government Resources committee, passed out of committee with amendments, and is now on the General Order.