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OK HB3379

Bill

Status

Introduced

2/2/2026

Primary Sponsor

Trish Ranson

Click for details

Origin

House of Representatives

2026 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • State higher education institutions are prohibited from asking about criminal history on initial applications or during admissions, except for sex-related offenses defined under Oklahoma law (including rape, sexual abuse, and related crimes)

  • Institutions may deny admission based on sex-related convictions but must notify the applicant, who may appeal to the State Regents for Higher Education

  • After admission, institutions may inquire about criminal history for offering supportive counseling and making decisions about campus life participation (housing, activities), considering factors like offense gravity, time elapsed, age at offense, and rehabilitation evidence

  • Institutions cannot deny admission to or continuation in programs leading to occupational licenses or teaching certificates based solely on criminal history, but must offer counseling about licensing requirements

  • Effective date is July 1, 2026, with an emergency clause for immediate effect upon passage and approval

Legislative Description

Higher education; Higher Education Workforce Development and Fair Admission Act; prohibiting state education institutions from inquiring about criminal conviction history on initial application; exceptions; effective date; emergency.

Last Action

Policy recommendation to the Education Oversight committee; Do Pass Postsecondary Education

2/10/2026

Committee Referrals

Postsecondary Education2/3/2026
Education Oversight2/3/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available