Bill > HB1483

This bill expands whistleblower protections in Oklahoma school districts by extending existing legal safeguards from teachers to include support employees. Specifically, the bill defines both "teacher" and "support employee" by referencing existing statutory definitions and ensures that school districts cannot take disciplinary action against teachers or support employees who disclose public information or report violations of state or federal laws. The protections cover reporting through various channels, including to supervisors, school board members, state education representatives, law enforcement, district attorneys, and parents of directly impacted students. School districts are required to prominently post these whistleblower protections where employees can easily see them. The bill maintains an important caveat that these protections do not override student and parent confidentiality rights under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). The bill is set to become effective on July 1, 2025, and includes an emergency clause suggesting its immediate importance for public safety and education governance.