Bill > HB1998

This bill amends two existing Oklahoma statutes to require explicit parental permission for students to participate in sex education classes and the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey. For sex education, the bill changes the existing language from allowing parents to opt their children out to requiring parents to provide written permission before a student can participate in any class or program discussing sexual behavior or attitudes. Similarly, for the biennial mental health prevention survey administered to students in grades six, eight, ten, and twelve, schools must now obtain parent permission before a student can take the survey, shifting from an opt-out to an opt-in model. The bill mandates that school districts provide prior written notification to parents about these programs, detailing the content and giving parents the opportunity to provide or withhold consent. The changes aim to increase parental involvement and control over curriculum and assessments related to sensitive topics like sexual behavior and student mental health. The bill will become effective on July 1, 2025, and includes an emergency clause suggesting the immediate importance of these changes to public education.

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1998&Session=2600