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Bill > HB3379
OK HB3379
OK HB3379Higher education; Higher Education Workforce Development and Fair Admission Act; prohibiting state education institutions from inquiring about criminal conviction history on initial application; exceptions; effective date; emergency.
summary
Introduced
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
In Committee
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act relating to higher education; creating the Higher Education Workforce Development and Fair Admission Act; prohibiting state educational institutions from inquiring about a prospective student's criminal history on an application form; permitting inquiry if criminal history includes certain sex-related convictions; permitting inquiries of a student's criminal conviction history after acceptance for certain purposes; requiring universities consider certain factors concerning a student's criminal conviction history when making certain decisions; permitting institutions with teacher preparation programs to consider criminal conviction history; limiting consideration to offering of counseling; prohibiting institutions from denying admission to an academic program based solely on criminal conviction history; requiring institution to offer counseling; permitting institutions to consider criminal conviction history if information is disclosed through certain applications; providing for noncodification; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.
AI Summary
This bill, known as the Higher Education Workforce Development and Fair Admission Act, aims to reform the admissions process for state educational institutions in Oklahoma by prohibiting them from asking about a prospective student's criminal history on initial applications, with specific exceptions for sex-related offenses. While initial applications are shielded, institutions can inquire about criminal convictions after a student is accepted for purposes like offering counseling and services, or making decisions about participation in campus life, provided they consider factors such as the nature of the offense, time passed, age at the time of the offense, and evidence of rehabilitation. Institutions with teacher preparation programs can also consider criminal history for counseling related to teacher certification, and no student can be denied admission or continuation in a program solely based on their criminal history, though counseling must be offered. The bill also allows for consideration of criminal history if disclosed through national application services used by multiple states, and it will take effect on July 1, 2026, with an emergency clause for immediate implementation.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Policy recommendation to the Education Oversight committee; Do Pass Postsecondary Education (on 02/10/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb3379&Session=2600 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - House: Introduced | https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/BILLSUM/House/HB3379%20INT%20BILLSUM.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20INT/hB/HB3379%20INT.PDF |
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