OK HB1281

Establishes two scholarships administered by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education: the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Assessment Scholarship paying 85% of assessment fees, and the Certified Childhood Professional (CCP) Credential Assessment Scholarship paying $295.00 of assessment fees.

Requires applicants to be 18+ years old with a high school diploma, work in a licensed One-Star or higher rated child care facility with at least 10% subsidized care enrollment, and earn $15.50 or less per hour working at least 30 hours weekly as a teacher, family child care provider, or director.

CDA candidates must have 480 hours of child care experience within the past five years and 120 hours of formal child care education; CCP candidates must have 720 hours of experience and 180 hours of education in the "9 Professional Ability Areas."

Allows scholarship recipients to receive up to $400.00 reimbursement for approved Tier II training, choose their own Professional Development Specialist, and exempts those with certain credentials from Oklahoma Early Learning Guidelines training requirements.

Becomes effective November 1, 2015, and terminates if funding becomes unavailable.