Senate Bill 89: Health Education Act
SB89 – Creates the Health Education Act, requiring that all PK-12 students receive instruction on the Oklahoma Health Academic Standards beginning in the 2023-2024 school year. Directs the Department to develop a micro-credential for teachers assigned the responsibility of teaching health education and to create professional development programs to help teachers provide health education instruction. Teachers providing stand-alone health education courses must be certified in physical or health education and the Department may issue 2-year provisional certificates in this area. Effective July 1, 2021.
House Bill 1568 – Maria’s Law (Mental Health)
HB1568 – Creates Maria’s Law, requiring the State Board of Education to mandate that all schools provide instruction in mental health, emphasizing the interrelation between physical and mental well-being, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year. Requires the Board, in consultation ODMHSAS, to revise the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Health and Physical Education and develop age-appropriate resources for students in grades K-12, which will be made available on the Department of Education website. Additionally, local school districts may enter inter agreements with nonprofits and other community partners to provide this education to students. Directs the Board to develop rules to implement the provisions. Effective November 1, 2021.
Senate Bill 128 - Seizure Safe Schools Act
SB128 - Seizure Safe Schools Act, effective January 1, 2022, the Oklahoma State Department of Education created seizure rescue training. Seizure Training for School Personnel is designed for people who work with children and youth in school settings. The training must provide an overview of seizures and epilepsy, seizure first aid, seizure action plans, rescue therapies, seizure emergencies and how to support students in school settings.
House Bill 1103: Mental Health and Substance Abuse
HB1103 – Requires public schools to administer the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment (OPNA) survey every two years beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, for the purpose of improving student mental health and substance abuse outcomes. Requires ODMHSAS to assist in administering the survey, maintain all collected data, and develop a waiver process allowing schools to administer an alternate assessment to meet the requirement. Lastly, the Assessment will only be administered as federal funding is available. Effective November 1, 2021.
Senate Bill 21: Suicide Awareness Training
SB21 – Requires, rather than permits, local boards of education to adopt a policy regarding district-wide suicide awareness training for staff, beginning in the 2021-2022 school year. Districts may provide suicide awareness training to students grade 7-12 beginning in the 2022-2023 school year. Effective July 1, 2021.
House Bill 2877: Mental Health
HB2877 – Allows peace officers to use telemedicine when dealing with a person, including a minor, whom the officer believes requires treatment from a mental health professional and directs that officers must transport the person to a nearby urgent recovery clinic or mental health facility once they deem the person to be medically stable. Effective November 1, 2021.
House Bill 1014: Communicable or Noncommunicable Diseases
HB1014 – Makes all records in the State Department of Health’s possession, concerning any person who has participated in a public health investigation or who may have any communicable or noncommunicable disease, which is required to be reported by law, confidential records of the department and outside the scope of the Oklahoma Open Records Act. These records may be released pursuant to existing allowances, so long as the release is in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996. Additionally, students having a communicable disease will be prohibited from attending a private or public school, with enforcement responsibility being placed with the school, rather than the teacher. Clarifies that a student may return to school with permission from the local county health department or State Department of Health. Effective upon its passage and approval.
House Bill 2565: Oklahoma Children’s Code
HB2565 – Provides that evidence of material, educational, or cultural disadvantage as compared to other children shall not be sufficient to prove that a child is deprived as it relates to the Oklahoma Children’s Code. The measure also modifies “neglect” to include the failure to protect the child from harm or threatened harm of which any reasonable and prudent person responsible for the child's health, safety or welfare would be aware. Neglect shall not include a child who engages in independent activities, except if the person responsible for the child's health, safety or welfare willfully disregards any harm or threatened harm to the child, given the child's level of maturity, physical condition, or mental abilities. Effective November 1, 2021.
Senate Bill 619: Liability Insurance Coverage
SB619 – Permits the governing body of any school to obtain liability insurance coverage to protect a student who participates in an apprenticeship, internship, or mentorship program. Prohibits schools from charging the student or parent for the cost of providing insurance. Authorizes the State Board of Education to develop rules to review apprenticeships, internships, and mentorships to determine if they are eligible for academic credit toward graduation. Effective July 1, 2021.
Senate Bill 104 – Physical Therapy and Telehealth
SB104 – Authorizes physical therapy sessions to be provided in person or remotely via telehealth to individuals or groups and defines telehealth and telecommunication. Effective November 1, 2021.
Senate Bill 980: Child Sexual Exploitation
SB980 – Adds the offenses of child sexual exploitation or permitting child sexual exploitation and soliciting sexual conduct or communication with a minor by use of technology to the list of crimes allowing the court to authorize law enforcement to intercept wire or electronic communications. Effective November 1, 2021.
Other Legislation Related to Health and Physical Education
Senate Bill 33- Vapor Products on School Property
Senate Bill 33, Vapor Products on School Property, effective July 1, 2019, adds vapor products to the list of products prohibited under the 24/7 Tobacco-free Schools Act.
This bill further defines "vapor product" shall mean noncombustible products, that may or may not contain nicotine, that employ a mechanical heating element, battery, electronic circuit or other mechanism, regardless of shape or size, that can be used to produce a vapor in a solution or other form. These products include any vapor cartridge or other container with or without nicotine or other form that is intended to be used with an electronic cigarette, cigar, cigarillo, pipe or similar product or device that may or may not contain nicotine. These products do not include any products regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration under Chapter V of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Adds vapor products to the 24/7 Tobacco-free Schools Act, prohibiting them from being in or on an educational facility, in school vehicles and at any school-sponsored or school-sanctioned event or activity.
Senate Bill 36- Physical Education Programs
Senate Bill 36, effective July 1, 2019, removes the requirement that school districts provide parents or guardians with annual physical activity reports.
Senate Bill 48- Treatment of Cystic Fibrosis in Schools
Senate Bill 48, effective July 1, 2019, allows student to self-administer replacement pancreatic enzymes for the purpose of treating cystic fibrosis. Existing law requires districts to adopt policies permitting the self-administration of certain medications by students with the authorization of a parent or legal guardian.
1. Requires school boards to adopt a policy to allow for the self-administration of replacement pancreatic enzymes by a student for treatment of cystic fibrosis.
2. Defines "medication" to include replacement pancreatic enzymes prescribed by a physician and having an individual label for purposes of self-administration.
3. Authorizes permission for self-administration of replacement pancreatic enzyme medication to be effective for the school year for which it is granted and requires the permission to be renewed each school year.
4. Allows a student who is permitted to self-administer a replacement pancreatic enzyme medication to possess and use the medication at all times.
Senate Bill 85- Opiate Antagonists
Senate Bill 85, effective July 1, 2019, allows school nurse or any person designated by school administration to administer an opiate antagonist in the event of a suspected overdose. Defines “medical personnel at schools” to mean a certified school nurse or any other nurse employed by or under contract with a school, any licensed practitioner of the healing arts, or any person designated by the school administration to administer an opiate antagonist in the event of a suspected overdose. Defines “first responder” to include medical personnel at schools including any public or charter schools, technology center schools and institutions of higher education.
This bill makes other changes to those who can administer opiate antagonist not relevant to schools.
Senate Bill 926- School Curriculum Materials
Senate Bill 926, effective July 1, 2019, requires schools that choose to offer sex education courses to include information about consent. Requires curriculum, materials, classes, programs, tests, surveys and questionnaires used for or in connection with sex education class or program include information about consent. Defines “consent” to mean the affirmative, ambiguous and voluntary agreement to engage in a specific sexual activity during a sexual encounter which can be revoked at any time.
Senate Bill 381- School Policy on Administering Medication
Senate Bill 381, effective July 1, 2019, permits schools to stock inhalers and administer an inhaler to a student believed to be in respiratory distress.
House Bill 2339- Administering Medication and Vaccinations to Children
House Bill 2339, effective November 1, 2019, prohibits a student from being vaccinated at school without the prior written authorization of the parent or legal guardian.
HB 1476- AIDS Prevention Education
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention education shall be taught in the public schools of this state. AIDS prevention education shall be limited to the discussion of the disease AIDS and its spread and prevention.
If you would like access to the full PowerPoint presentation including speaker notes, please e-mail Shana Classen, Director of Health and Physical Education.
Senate Bill 1467 – Meningococcal Meningitis Act
Senate Bill 239 – Chase Morris Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act
Effective July 1, 2015, the Chase Morris Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act requires:
This bill does not create or eliminate any potential civil liability by the school or school employee.
Associated Information
House Bill 1051 - Diabetes Management in School Act
Effective July 1, 2007, the Diabetes Management in Schools Act requires:
For more guidance on the requirements of Diabetes Management, visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health’s Guidelines for Diabetes Management in Schools
House Bill 1378 CPR Training Act
Effective school year 2015-2016 the “Dustin Rhodes and Lindsey Steed CPR Training Act” requires:
Associated Information:
Evidence-based programs are those using either the American Heart Association or Red Cross protocols.
Instructional Resources:
The American Heart Association offers several instructional resources with varying costs. The list below does not indicate mandated curriculum. Districts may choose alternative programs that are nationally recognized and evidence-based.
Hands-Only CPR Video - American Heart Association
Hands-Only Fact Sheet - American Heart Association
School Cardiac Emergency Response Plan - American Heart Association
House Bill 2239 - Self-Administration of Anaphylaxis Medication
House Bill 2239 amends 70 O.S. § 1-116.3 to include adoption of a policy on or before September 1, 2008, that permits the self-administration of anaphylaxis medication by a student for treatment of anaphylaxis.
Senate Bill 312 - Physical Education
Effective November 1, 2005, school districts must provide physical education programs to all students, which may include athletics. In addition, elementary schools are required to provide instruction in physical education or exercise programs for students in full-day Kindergarten through Grade 5 for a minimum of 60 minutes per week.
This bill further requires:
Senate Bill 262 - Workplace Safety Training in Schools
SB 262 directs the State Department of Education in collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Labor, to make available to school districts information regarding workplace safety training for grades seven through twelve.
The State Department of Education shall encourage school districts to inform grade seven through twelve teachers about the importance of incorporating workplace safety training in their curriculum.
Senate Bill 519 - Physical Fitness Assessment Program and Pilots
S.B. 519 directs the State Department of Education and the State Department of Health to facilitate the development of a physical fitness assessment software program customized for public schools, effective July 1, 2008.
Senate Bill 923 - Automated External Defibrillators
Senate Bill 923, effective July 1, 2008, mandates that automated external defibrillators be made available at schools if funding is available. Purchase of defibrillators is contingent upon the availability of federal money or donations from private organizations or from persons made for this purpose. The school district may make automated external defibrillators available at high school athletic practice or competition in the district.
Senate Bill 1186 - Additional 60 Minutes of Physical Activity Requirement
Senate Bill 1186 amends 70 O.S. § 11-103.9 beginning with the 2008-2009 school year. The amendment requires that public elementary schools provide to students in full-day Kindergarten and Grades one through five an average of an additional 60 minutes of physical activity each week, which may include, but not be limited to, physical education, exercise programs, fitness breaks, recess, classroom activities, and wellness and nutrition education.
Senate Bill 1459 - Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committee
In order to assist the Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committees in formulating recommendations about the health and physical activity of students, Senate Bill 1459 directs the State Department of Education, in consultation with the State Department of Health, to make available to schools information and technical assistance for use in: Establishing healthy school nutrition environments; Reducing childhood obesity; Developing quality physical education and activity programs; Preventing diet-related chronic diseases; and Establishing, implementing, and evaluating school wellness policies.
The Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committees are encouraged to use the School Health Index available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site or Oklahoma's Healthy and Fit Schools Scorecard available on the Governor's Council of Physical Fitness and Sports Web site as a program assessment and monitoring instrument.
For more guidance on the requirements of Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committees, visit the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s Guidance Webpage.
Senate Bill 1627 - The Healthy and Fit Kids Act
The purpose of Senate Bill 1627 provides for a Healthy and Fit School Advisory Committee to be established at all public school sites. The committee shall:
Senate Bill 1700 - Sports Related Injuries
Senate Bill 1700 was effective July 1, 2010. This new law provides for the development and implementation of guidelines for school personnel and student athletes related to sports related head injuries.
Oklahoma State Department of Health: Concussions
Oklahoma State Department of Health: Schools & Sports Organizations
Oklahoma State Department of Health: Return to Learn Protocol
Senate Bill 1876 - Physical Education
Senate Bill 1876 was effective November 1, 2010. This amendatory law provides for the implementation of a sequential, developmentally appropriate physical education curriculum and requires that at least fifty percent (50%) of physical education activities be performed at a moderate or vigorous level.
Senate Bill 1795: Vision Screening
Senate Bill 1795 was effective November 1, 2006. This law requires the parent or guardian of each student enrolled in kindergarten, first, and third grade at a public school in this state provide certification to school personnel that the student passed within the previous twelve (12) months or during the school year. School districts will report the vision screening data to the Oklahoma State Department of Education, who will issue an annual report to the State Board of Education.
2021-2022 Vision Screening Report
2021-2022 Vision Screening Report By Grades