OK SB796

Prohibits Oklahoma higher education institutions from using state funds, property, or resources to support diversity, equity, and inclusion positions, departments, or programs that grant preferential treatment based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, or national origin.

Prohibits mandating any person to participate in diversity training, swear loyalty oaths favoring particular demographics, certify agreement with ideological viewpoints, disclose pronouns, or require diversity statements from job applicants.

Requires institutions to review diversity, equity, and inclusion positions and programs after the effective date and restructure or eliminate functions not necessary for compliance, accreditation, or broad student and employee support.

Exempts from these prohibitions: compliance with accreditation/licensing requirements, faculty academic freedom, scholarly research, student organizations, guest speakers, academic support services designed without regard to protected characteristics, data collection, and access programs for military, veterans, Pell Grant recipients, first-generation students, and underserved populations.

Institutions must submit annual certificates of compliance to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Speaker of the House by July 1, 2026, and each July 1 thereafter; law takes effect July 1, 2025.