All Roll Calls
Yes: 224 • No: 0
OklahomaSB 346Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
School personnel; requiring certain affidavit from previously employed full-time teacher to include certain attestation. Effective date. Emergency.
Sponsored By: Micheal Bergstrom (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Teacher hiring needs affidavit, with penalties
Beginning July 1, 2026, a school board cannot hire a full‑time teacher who does not provide the required affidavit. Anyone who knowingly files a false required affidavit commits a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail, a fine up to $500, or both. The State Board of Education may suspend or revoke an educator’s license or certificate after such a conviction.
Experienced teachers can reuse background checks
Beginning July 1, 2026, experienced teachers and long‑term substitutes can often skip a new national background check. Full‑time teacher applicants may reuse a check from the last five years if they give an affidavit from their prior district saying they left in good standing and listing any student‑related allegations, their outcome, and contact info. People who taught full time within the last five years can reuse a check when applying to substitute with the same affidavit. Long‑term substitutes (five straight years) applying for full‑time can reuse a check with a district letter showing good standing and any allegations. Former full‑time teachers with ten straight years in one district do not need a new check to substitute in that same district while they keep working there; a new check is required to work in another district.
Background checks, fees, and 60‑day temp work
Beginning July 1, 2026, districts may ask the State Board to get a national background check from OSBI when you apply. OSBI can charge up to $50 or the actual cost, whichever is less. The State Board, OSBI, and the district must move your check along within 14‑day timelines. Districts can let you start work while results are pending for up to 60 days; you must be told at your first interview about the check, any fee, and the reimbursement policy. If you were already employed when the request was made, the district must promptly repay the fee; it does not have to reimburse temporary hires. Substitutes need only one national check per school year and can have it sent to other districts; a district may skip the check for substitutes who worked there last year. Districts are not automatically liable for hiring during the 60‑day window unless they are negligent.
Deadlines and narrow exemptions for checks
The law sets background‑check deadlines for long‑time employees and narrow exemptions. Teachers employed before May 19, 2020 who lack state or national checks must complete them at their next standard certificate renewal. Other school employees hired before that date must complete both checks by July 1, 2022; teachers eligible to retire must complete checks by July 1, 2022 or at their next renewal, whichever comes first. Part‑time or temporary technology center hires who only teach adults, and law enforcement officers employed by an agency when they apply, are exempt. These rules take effect July 1, 2026.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Micheal Bergstrom
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Warren Hamilton
Republican • Senate
Neil Hays
Republican • House
Mark Mann
Democratic • Senate
Kendal Sacchieri
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 89 • No: 0
House vote • 4/13/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 4/13/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 4/8/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/24/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 45 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/24/2026
SENATE
Yes: 40 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2026
Committee vote: Education
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor 05/12/2026
5/13/2026SenateSent to Governor
5/6/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/6/2026HouseEnrolled, to House
5/6/2026SenateReferred for enrollment
5/6/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/6/2026HouseThird Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 89 Nays: 0
5/6/2026HouseGeneral Order
5/6/2026HouseCR; Do Pass Education Oversight Committee
4/13/2026HousePolicy recommendation to the Education Oversight committee; Do Pass Common Education
4/9/2026HouseReferred to Common Education
3/30/2026HouseSecond Reading referred to Education Oversight
3/30/2026HouseFirst Reading
3/25/2026HouseEngrossed to House
3/25/2026SenateCoauthored by Senator Sacchieri
3/24/2026SenateReferred for engrossment
3/24/2026SenateMeasure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 45 Nays: 0
3/24/2026SenateAyes: 40 Nays: 0
3/24/2026SenateAdvanced to Third Reading
3/24/2026SenateCoauthored by Senator Hamilton
3/24/2026SenateTitle restored
3/24/2026SenateGeneral Order, Amended by Floor Substitute
3/24/2026SenateCoauthored by Senator Mann
3/23/2026SenatePlaced on General Order
3/5/2026SenateTitle stricken
3/3/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/6/2026
Floor (House)
4/13/2026
House Committee Report
4/13/2026
House Policy Committee Report
4/9/2026
Engrossed
3/25/2026
Floor (Senate)
3/4/2026
Senate Committee Report
3/3/2026
Introduced
1/3/2025
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