HB 1444 Summary

• Declares English as the official language of Oklahoma and establishes the Oklahoma Official English Language Implementation Act.

• Requires the state to preserve and enhance English as the official language; prohibits policies that diminish or ignore English's role unless specifically required by federal/state law or the Oklahoma Constitution.

• Requires state agencies to publicly disclose and report any use of languages other than English, including separate budget delineations for costs related to interpreters, translations, employee training in other languages, and wage differentials.

• Provides presumptions regarding what constitutes preserving or diminishing English's official role (e.g., providing English education is presumed to preserve the language; bilingual education programs are presumed to diminish it).

• Takes effect November 1, 2011; creates no new private rights of action or claims against the state.