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Bill > HB4326
OK HB4326
OK HB4326Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program; eligibility for students in the court-ordered custody of a private nonprofit child-placing agency or a federally recognized Indian tribe during certain time; certified teacher definition; effective date.
summary
Introduced
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
In Committee
04/01/2026
04/01/2026
Crossed Over
03/30/2026
03/30/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act relating to the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2603, as last amended by Section 1, Chapter 485, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 2603), which relates to eligibility requirements; adding technology center school education to eligibility; updating references; expanding eligibility for students in the court-ordered custody of a private nonprofit child-placing agency or a federally recognized Indian tribe during certain time; defining who a parent is for a child of a certified teacher; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2605, as last amended by Section 2, Chapter 485, O.S.L. 2025 (70 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 2605), which relates to student agreements; updating references; expanding eligibility for students in the court-ordered custody of a private nonprofit child-placing agency or a federally recognized Indian tribe during certain time; removing income requirement for student in the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, in the court-ordered custody of a private nonprofit child-placing agency, or a federally recognized Indian tribe during certain time; requiring Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education verify standard or alternative certificate is in a classroom subject; expanding definition of certified teacher; clarifying computation of employment for purposes of eligibility; requiring standard or alternative certification be in a classroom subject as determined by the State Regents; clarifying effect of service as an emergency or provisionally certified teacher; increasing financial need qualification threshold amount on or after certain school year; amending 62 O.S. 2021, Section 34.87, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 409, O.S.L. 2024 (62 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 34.87), which relates to the transfer of funds to the Higher Learning Access Trust Fund; requiring certain calculations utilizing certain methodologies; requiring certain calculated amounts be reported to certain Boards; clarifying transfer determination; providing an effective date; and providing a conditional effective date.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (often referred to as Oklahoma's Promise) to expand eligibility and adjust financial requirements for students seeking financial aid for higher education. Key changes include allowing students in the court-ordered custody of a private nonprofit child-placing agency or a federally recognized Indian tribe to be eligible, regardless of their parents' income, and removing the income requirement for students in the custody of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, or those in the court-ordered custody of a private nonprofit child-placing agency or a federally recognized Indian tribe during specific grade levels. The bill also updates the definition of a "certified teacher" to include those with standard or alternative certification in a classroom subject, and clarifies how employment for this purpose is calculated, while excluding service as an emergency or provisionally certified teacher. Additionally, it increases the financial need qualification threshold amount for some students and makes adjustments to how funds are transferred to the Higher Learning Access Trust Fund, with specific effective dates for different sections of the bill.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Second Reading referred to Education Committee then to Appropriations Committee (on 04/01/2026)
Official Document
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