Bill > HB1475

This bill prohibits educational institutions in Oklahoma from discriminating against students based on their COVID-19 vaccination status, expanding previous restrictions on COVID-19-related mandates. Specifically, schools and higher education institutions are now forbidden from distinguishing between students in activities such as athletics, classroom participation, survey administration, and seating arrangements based on vaccination status. The bill also introduces a financial penalty for non-compliance, with schools that violate these provisions facing a 5% reduction in state funding that will be applied in the next funding distribution and continue through the following fiscal year. While the bill maintains existing prohibitions against requiring COVID-19 vaccinations or vaccine passports for school admission, it adds explicit language preventing any form of vaccination-status discrimination. The bill amends existing state statutes regarding immunization requirements and COVID-19 related school policies, and is set to become effective on July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause that allows immediate implementation upon passage. The legislation does not apply to healthcare settings and maintains existing immunization requirements for other childhood diseases.

Education

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1475&Session=2600