All Roll Calls
Yes: 155 • No: 0
OklahomaSB 553Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Schools; directing revocation of certification and dismissal for failure to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Effective date. Emergency.
Sponsored By: Adam Pugh (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Teachers face penalties for not reporting abuse
School employees must sign each year that they know they must report suspected child abuse or neglect. Certified teachers must complete child‑abuse recognition and reporting training in their first year and every fifth school year. Knowingly and willfully failing to report is a cause to dismiss or not rehire a teacher under the Teacher Due Process Act. If a teacher is convicted during employment of that failure, any felony, or listed sex crimes, the teacher is dismissed unless pardoned. The State Department of Education refuses or revokes teaching, supervisory, or administrative certificates for a conviction, suspended sentence, or probation for knowingly failing to report. No one can get such a certificate for 10 years after a felony, a crime of moral turpitude, a felony drug crime, or a conviction for knowingly failing to report.
Background checks and hiring rules for schools
School boards must request a national background check for anyone seeking a job; they may also check current employees. No new check is required if you got state certification in the past 12 months. OSBI and the State Board must move each step within 14 working days. You can start work for up to 60 days while results are pending; the job ends after 60 days if results have not arrived, and districts are not liable under this section unless negligent. The fingerprint search fee is capped at $50 or the actual cost; districts must tell you about the fee and must promptly repay it in full if you are employed when they request the check, except for temporary hires pending results. Teachers who show a national check from the past 5 years plus a letter saying they left their last district in good standing usually do not need a new check; substitutes can have one check shared with other districts. Part‑time technology center instructors who only teach adults and active law‑enforcement officers are exempt. Staff hired before May 19, 2020 who lack checks must complete them by the next certificate renewal or by July 1, 2022, as specified for teachers and other employees.
When these school rules take effect
The act declares an emergency, so it takes effect upon passage and approval. Another section sets July 1, 2025 as an effective date. Agencies and schools follow the dates that apply to each section.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Adam Pugh
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Nikki Nice
Democratic • Senate
Danny Sterling
Republican • House
Kristen Thompson
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/1/2025
THIRD READING
Yes: 78 • No: 0
House vote • 4/23/2025
DO PASS
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 4/2/2025
DO PASS
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/24/2025
THIRD READING
Yes: 47 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Committee vote: Education
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/5/2025
Floor (House)
4/23/2025
House Committee Report
4/23/2025
House Policy Committee Report
4/3/2025
Engrossed
3/25/2025
Floor (Senate)
3/5/2025
Committee Substitute
3/4/2025
Senate Committee Report
3/4/2025
Introduced
1/13/2025
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