Sen. Dusty Deevers

Maddy summarySB 756, the "Local Teacher Licensure Act," allows Oklahoma school district boards to evaluate and recommend teacher certification applications to the State Board of Education (SBE), directly affecting teachers seeking licensure and school districts managing hiring. School districts must follow clear timelines (20 days for applicants, 30 days for review), and the SBE must approve or reject recommendations within 30 days - failing to act results in automatic approval if requirements are met. Teacher licenses issued under this law are valid for five years and subject to standard renewal rules. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and declares an emergency.

Maddy summarySB 737 defines "interventional pain management" as the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain using techniques like nerve ablation, spinal injections, or surgical procedures such as spinal cord stimulators. It requires physicians to hold specific medical licenses to practice this care, while allowing certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) to perform certain procedures like epidural injections under physician supervision. The bill prohibits CRNAs from operating freestanding pain facilities without direct supervision by a physician board-certified in pain management. It takes effect November 1, 2025, and directly affects pain management practitioners, CRNAs, and facilities in Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 738 amends Oklahoma law to clarify county sheriffs' duties, directly affecting sheriffs, deputies, and courthouse security operations statewide. The bill adds that sheriffs must "protect the people of their county from infringements of rights guaranteed by the Oklahoma and U.S. Constitutions" and specifically prohibits federal agents from violating county residents' rights. It also requires sheriffs to coordinate courthouse security as a new duty. The changes take effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 943, the Oklahoma Medical Freedom Act, protects patients' right to refuse medical treatments, vaccines, or preventive procedures without facing discrimination in employment, public accommodations, or legal rights. It shields healthcare professionals - including doctors, nurses, and allied staff - from disciplinary action, license loss, or retaliation for speaking out against medical mandates, advocating for patient choice, or reporting unethical practices. The bill creates a legal cause of action for professionals harmed by such retaliation, allowing them to seek court-ordered relief and financial damages. These provisions apply to all healthcare settings and require regulatory bodies to prove any disciplinary action is unrelated to protected speech, with expedited court review.

Maddy summarySB 953 creates the "Election Integrity Enforcement Act," authorizing Oklahoma district attorneys to file civil lawsuits alleging election fraud (such as voter fraud, ballot tampering, or voting machine security breaches) on behalf of voters. It requires court approval before lawsuits can be filed to prevent frivolous claims, mandates confidentiality for investigation records, and requires annual reports on case outcomes to the State Election Board. The law directly affects district attorneys (as enforcers) and voters (as the protected party), with implementation beginning July 1, 2025. It establishes specific procedures for investigations and civil actions without creating new criminal penalties.

Maddy summarySB 558 modifies Oklahoma's concealed carry laws by expanding where licensed firearm owners may carry concealed weapons. It allows concealed carry in school parking lots (with firearms stored out of view when unattended), certain public parks, and vehicle parking areas owned by government entities, while removing written consent requirements for some locations. The bill also adds exemptions for private schools with adopted policies permitting weapons and for designated school personnel with security licenses. It updates definitions of "securely fenced" properties and sets a $250 penalty for violations of prohibited carry areas. The law directly affects licensed gun owners, schools, and public property managers.

Maddy summarySB 317 allows private organizations to certify professionals in lawful occupations without government licensing, directly affecting individuals seeking certification and the organizations providing it. Private certifying groups must register with the Oklahoma Secretary of State, publish detailed requirements and certified member information online, and verify qualifications annually. The bill prohibits government penalties, fines, or fees against privately certified individuals and requires them to display their certification prominently. It establishes rules for organization registration, transparency, and consumer protections while ensuring private certification remains accessible regardless of personal characteristics.

Maddy summarySB 246 establishes a system for Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools to designate certified classroom teachers as "Master," "Exemplary," or "Recognized" based on student academic growth metrics. Teachers qualify with 70%, 60%, or 55% of students meeting/exceeding growth targets, respectively. The bill creates the Distinguished Educator Allotments Revolving Fund, providing schools with $12,000-$32,000 per Master-designated teacher and $6,000-$18,000 per Exemplary-designated teacher annually. The State Board of Education sets standards for these designations and monitors implementation, while schools must certify fund usage and report to state officials.

Maddy summarySB 310 repeals Oklahoma's Incentive Evaluation Act (specifically 62 O.S. 2021 Sections 7001-7005), which previously established the Incentive Evaluation Commission. The bill removes the legal framework governing this commission without creating new provisions. It takes effect on July 1, 2025, and declares an emergency to expedite implementation. This is a procedural repeal with no new policy changes or direct impact on affected entities beyond the elimination of the repealed law.

Maddy summarySB 192 changes how Oklahoma school districts calculate state aid funding. It directs that state aid be based on a district's average daily membership (ADM) from the first nine weeks of the school year, replacing prior methods that allowed using higher weighted membership calculations. The bill also establishes transitional grants to assist districts during the switch to this new formula, with funding subject to availability. This change applies starting with the 2026-2027 school year.