Welcome to the Oklahoma House of Representatives

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Ryan Eaves, R-Atoka, applauded the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and state higher education leaders following the approval of new three-year bachelor's degree programs at three public universities. "I'm excited to see Oklahoma higher education moving forward with three-year degree options," Eaves said. "The State Regents and our universities recognize the need for more flexible pathways to a bachelor's degree, and they have been thoughtful about how these programs can give students another option to earn a degree and enter the workforce sooner while maintaining academic quality and accreditation standards. I appreciate Senator Daniels, the State Regents and our higher education leaders for taking this idea seriously and turning it into an opportunity for Oklahoma students."  The State Regents on Sept. 3 approved four bachelor's degree programs at the University of Oklahoma (OU), Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Rogers State University that will require between 90 and 103 credit hours. A traditional bachelor's degree requires a minimum of 120 credit hours.  Earlier this year, Eaves and Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, authored House Bill 3315 , which directed the State Regents to study the feasibility of three-year, or 90-credit-hour, bachelor's degree programs. The measure was signed into law April 30. The feasibility study examined accreditation standards, workforce alignment, affordability, transferability and other considerations related to shortened degree programs. The State Regents later established a framework for universities seeking approval of programs requiring fewer than 120 credit hours.  Under that framework, universities must demonstrate that proposed programs meet academic and accreditation requirements, address workforce needs and consider how the degree would affect areas such as graduate education and professional licensure. OU will offer a Bachelor of Applied Studies in Social Work. OSU will offer Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in Artificial Intelligence and Business Essentials and Applications. Rogers State will offer a Bachelor of Applied Science in Workforce Development.

OKLAHOMA CITY –The House Criminal Judiciary Committee on Tuesday held an interim study by Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, examining child-sensitive policies and practices when children are present during the arrest of a parent or caregiver Turner, who served more than two decades in law enforcement, including as a sheriff and narcotics officer, said the intent of the study was to examine current Oklahoma law enforcement policies, practices, training and data collection efforts while identifying practical opportunities to strengthen officer training, cross-system collaboration, and available resources that support public safety and improve outcomes for children and families. "Law enforcement officers are asked to make difficult decisions in rapidly evolving situations where officer and public safety must always remain the highest priority," Turner said. "The purpose of this discussion is not to change that mission. Officers must maintain the ability to do their jobs. But we also must consider children who are present when an arrest takes place and the impact that may have on them." Turner said it was his intent during the study to learn how many Oklahoma children are affected by parental arrest in their presence; what procedures and resources are in place and available to help officers and affected children; what happens to those children after an arrest to make sure they are safe and supported; and ways to make this process better and safer so children are protected while not compromising law enforcement officers and public safety. The study was requested by the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth (OCCY), through its legislatively mandated Children of Incarcerated Parents (CIP) Advisory Committee. OCCY Executive Director Annette Wisk Jacobi gave an overview of the commission's work to improve services and outcomes for Oklahoma's children, youth and families. She said the commission works across agencies, systems and communities to identify and address issues affecting children and youth and to promote programs that support them. "Our role often places OCCY at the intersection of multiple systems, including child welfare, behavioral health, education and the justice system," Jacobi said. Dr. David McLeod, chair of OCCY's CIP Advisory Committee and a director at the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma, spoke about what children may experience when witnessing an arrest of a parent or caregiver. They may feel their safety is threatened, he said, or have caregiver separation anxiety. They'll likely be confused about what happens next. This can create acute or toxic stress and trauma responses. This can later result in emotional and behavioral difficulty, negative family and police perceptions, posttraumatic stress symptoms, physiological stress and can impact school performance and development. McLeod said law enforcement and lawmakers should consider what is preventable, what is already feasible and what data Oklahoma lacks. Some protective factors to consider include having a trusted adult in place to help the child, giving clear information about what is happening now and what will happen next, having a safe caregiver in place who will help the child maintain school and other routine activities, offering follow-up support. Shannon Luper, program director of Girl Scouts Beyond Bars and Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, shared that more than 26,000 Oklahoma children have a parent in prison, and one in 10 have experienced incarceration of a family member. For many children, a parent's arrest is their first interaction with the justice system. "The question is not only what happens to the parent. It is what happens to the child," she said. "Parental arrest is not a single event for the child. It's a journey." Luper included the perspective shared by youth when they were asked what they remembered about the experience of a parent or caregiver being arrested, what helped them, what could have been different and what they would like policymakers to understand. Child-sensitive arrests are just the beginning of the conversation, Luper said. What organizations such as hers do after an arrest is equally if not more important. This may include making sure the child can visit their incarcerated parent to help maintain healthy family relationships, partnering with caregivers to provide support, mentoring the child, teaching leadership and resilience, and supporting the parent with education and opportunities to reconnect with their children. Other presenters who shared lived experiences included Mikayla Woods, a Haskell County resident; and Daryll Savell on the Parent Partnership Board with OCCY. The study also featured a question-and-answer session with law enforcement, featuring Scott Walton, sheriff of Rogers County; Jon Sappington, former Rogers County undersheriff; and Kevin Branscum, an investigator with the District 25 district attorney's office. This study can be viewed on the House website, https://www.okhouse.gov/ , under live proceedings. Search by calendar day, Sept. 22, then for study IS26-082 Child-Sensitive Arrest Policies and Practices in Oklahoma, under Criminal Judiciary starting at 1 p.m.

Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, led an interim study on Wednesday that explored the effects of alternative education in elementary schools compared to long-term suspension.  "I've heard from parents in my district that are concerned about how behavioral challenges are addressed in elementary schools," West said. "Every student deserves access to the support they need, no matter where they live or the size of their school district. I hope that this study is a meaningful first step to finding solutions that promote student success and keep them included in their learning communities."  Dr. Kenny Rodrequez, superintendent of Putnam City Schools, said they have seen an “inordinate amount” of increased elementary behavior since 2020.  Rodrequez, who previously worked to redesign alternative education in Tulsa, stressed that alternative education shouldn't simply mean putting a student in a smaller classroom. Instead, he said, it should involve different strategies, individualized support, family involvement and trained staff to adequately provide both behavioral and academic support.  "Alternative had to be… different," Rodrequez said . "It wasn't just a smaller setting… We needed different strategies, we needed different tools in our toolbox. It needed to be individualized. It needed to be supported. It needed everybody coming to the table."  Rodrequez also argued that the objective shouldn’t be permanent placement in an alternative setting and that a successful alternative program should be designed around eventual return. He added , "The goal was not placement, but just successful return back to that setting with maybe additional supports." Amy Moyer, a principal in Verdigris, spoke about the challenges facing rural districts. She described administrators simultaneously handling discipline, IEP meetings, evaluations, transportation, federal programs and other responsibilities. "We wear all those hats, and every time something else goes on, another report, another thing—again, who's the human that's going to do it? It falls back on us," Moyer said . She also argued that county- or regional-level alternative programs could help small districts access resources they cannot afford individually. Moyer referenced a $20,000 grant available to cover behavioral therapy for qualifying students, but said the last time they sent a student to a behavioral therapist, the cost totaled $200,000. Siomara Davis, a behavior interventionist at Edmond Public Schools, told the committee that behavioral intervention can be more effective when it happens before suspension. Davis said she works with students, teachers and parents to develop plans when behavioral issues are first identified "in a hope we're not immediately jumping to suspension." Presenters also emphasized that behavioral support does not mean eliminating accountability. Brandon Carey, an attorney for the Oklahoma School Boards Association, spoke about the effects of federal laws, such as Title IX, on schools' disciplinary options. Carey explained that federal law limits the circumstances under which a student with a disability can be removed from their normal educational setting for extended periods. After 10 days of removal, a manifestation determination is required, with additional requirements depending on the circumstances. The full study may be viewed at okhouse.gov .