Bill > HB3139

This bill, known as the Safeguarding Personal Expression At K-12 Schools (SPEAKS) Act, aims to prevent public schools from discriminating against students based on their religious, political, or ideological viewpoints. It clarifies that students have the right to express these viewpoints in class, in assignments, and through clothing and accessories, as long as it's done in a similar manner to how other students express themselves. The act also allows students to organize religious, political, or ideological clubs and participate in gatherings before, during, or after school, provided these activities are treated the same as other student-initiated clubs and gatherings. While protecting student expression, the bill acknowledges that schools can still prohibit speech that is not protected by the First Amendment, such as true threats or obscenity, or expression that significantly disrupts school operations or the activities of others. Importantly, students or student organizations harmed by a violation of this act can sue the school for damages and legal fees, and the state is waiving its immunity in federal court for such cases, meaning schools are not protected from liability for violating these provisions.

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb3139&Session=2600