OK HB1281

Establishes the Return to Teach Signing Bonus Act, effective beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, providing $35,000 signing bonuses to teachers returning to Oklahoma public schools, subject to funding availability.

Requires eligible applicants to have at least 3 years prior teaching experience with a valid or expired teaching certificate, not have been employed by an Oklahoma public school within the past year, and commit to 5 years of full-time teaching in Oklahoma.

Mandates the State Department of Education verify all applicant information before payment and requires participants to provide annual verification of continued eligibility; bonuses must be paid no later than October 31 or within 30 days of the first school day, whichever is earlier.

Requires participants who submit false information to repay all bonuses and those who fail to complete the 5-year employment commitment to repay a pro rata portion based on unfulfilled years.

Excludes signing bonuses from calculations of district or statutory minimum salary schedules and from Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma contributions or benefits; declares an emergency for immediate enactment.