State representatives pass legislation to ban cell phones, DEI and discrimination

State lawmakers are hearing hundreds of bills ahead of the next legislative deadline, today, passing a handful of education bills.

Senate Bill 105: Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship update

SB105 makes changes to the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship, which provides school choice for Oklahoma students with special needs. The changes include: 

1. Removes the requirement for a student to have attended a public school prior to applying for the scholarship
2. Removes the word "disability" and replaces it with the phrase "special need"
3. Allows all children who have moved to Oklahoma due to a military change of station orders to qualify
4. Removes language stating that acceptance of a scholarship has the same effect as parental revocation of consent to services under certain provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

“If you are a family with a special needs student, we make you wait a year. We make you jump through hoops that we don't ask our traditional students to do,” said Rep. Chad Caldwell (R-Enid). 

The bill passed with a vote of 6-3 and now heads to the House Education Committee.

Senate Bill 139: Banning cell phones in school

1. SB 139 requires school boards to adopt policies prohibiting students from using cell phones on campus for the upcoming school year.
2. The policies may provide exceptions for emergencies and for students who use phones to monitor health issues.
3. The bill passed with a vote of 9-0 and now heads to the House Education Committee.
4. A similar bill is moving through the Senate.

Senate Bill 331: creating the “Emerson Kate Cole Act”

1. SB 331 requires schools to call 911 if epinephrine is administered to a student.
2. It requires schools to provide teachers and staff with annual training regarding food allergies, recognizing anaphylaxis, and administering epinephrine. 
3. The bill passed with a vote of 8-0 and now heads to the House Education Committee.

Senate Bill 701: Declaring a moratorium on certain higher education courses

1. SB 701 creates a five-year moratorium on statutes that give certain state colleges and universities the exclusive right to offer certain courses.
2. The bill passed with a vote of 7-2 and now heads to the House Education Committee.

Senate Bill 796: Prohibiting DEI at Oklahoma colleges

1. SB 796 prohibits state colleges and universities from using state funds to support DEI positions, activities, or programs.
2. Oklahoma Universities will also be prohibited from requiring: DEI statements on applications; someone to disclose their pronouns; DEI-related training or education; someone to declare adherence to a particular political, religious, or ideological viewpoint; and; someone to swear an oath that favors one particular race, color, sex, ethnicity, over another.
3. Colleges would be required to eliminate DEI and submit a certificate of compliance to legislative leaders and the governor by July 1, 2026. 

“Senate Bill 796 is to take an executive order, codify it into law,” said Rep. Denise Crosswhite-Hader (R-Piedmont). “What we will still have is the opportunity to learn history, but we won't continue to use taxpayer resources to promote a potential philosophy.”

House Democrats voted against the legislation.

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion have been an effort by universities to meet the needs of every student wherever they come from,” said Rep. John Waldron (D-Tulsa).

1. The bill passed with a vote of 6-2 and now heads to the House Education Committee.

Senate Bill 841: Modifying the Strong Readers Act

1. SB841 makes some changes to the Strong Readers Act, which is a state law aimed at improving reading proficiency in early grades (K-3) by emphasizing evidence-based reading instruction and interventions.
2. The bill makes the following changes: 
3. Allows an individual with advanced training or specialization in literacy instruction to be on the Student Reading Proficiency Team;
4. Removes the requirement for certain teacher candidates to pass a reading instruction comprehensive assessment prior to graduation, but clarifies that successful completion of the test is required for certification;
5. Clarifies that science of reading training should be taught to candidates seeking certification in childhood education, elementary education, and special education, and that completion of such training will lead to a microcredential for these teachers.
6. The bill passed with a vote of 9-0 and now heads to the House Education Committee.

Senate Bill 942: Prohibiting Anti-Semitism in Oklahoma

1. SB 942 requires public schools and universities to integrate the definition of antisemitism into their codes of conduct and to integrate antisemitism awareness into their training for staff and students.
2. Schools would also be required to treat antisemitism in the same manner as racial discrimination.
3. The State Department of Education and the State Regents are required to designate a Title VI coordinator to monitor antisemitic discrimination and harassment, who will investigate complaints and submit an annual report to the legislature about the state of antisemitism in schools.
4. The bill passed with a vote of 9-0 and now heads to the House Education Committee.