Bill > SB1262

This bill establishes a tuition waiver program for individuals who were victims of human trafficking for commercial sex or labor, were under 18 at the time of the offense, and were residents and citizens of Oklahoma. The waiver can be used for undergraduate resident tuition at state colleges and universities or tuition at technology center schools, and is limited to five years. Funding for these waivers will come from the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Trust Fund, which is an existing fund used to support higher education access programs. The bill also amends the law governing this trust fund to explicitly include these tuition waivers as a purpose for which the fund can be used, and clarifies that the waivers will be awarded based on available funding and the number of eligible students. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the State Board of Career and Technology Education are tasked with creating rules to implement this program, including application and eligibility verification processes. This bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and is declared an emergency measure, meaning it will be in full force immediately upon passage and approval.

Budget and Finance, Education

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb1262&Session=2600