Bill > HB2246

This bill requires the Oklahoma State Department of Education to develop standards for implementing the least restrictive environment (LRE) requirements outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The LRE principle is a key component of special education law that mandates students with disabilities should be educated alongside their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate. Specifically, the bill directs the department to create guidelines to ensure that students with special needs are not unnecessarily removed from regular classroom settings. The new standards will be codified as Section 13-101A of Title 70 in the Oklahoma Statutes, and the bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2025. By focusing on the LRE requirements, the bill aims to promote educational inclusion and minimize the segregation of students with disabilities from mainstream educational environments.

Budget and Finance

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2246&Session=2600