Representative Sherrie Conley

Hi, I'm Sherrie Conley and I represent the people of Oklahoma's 20th District.


representative

Leadership

Majority Caucus Secretary

59th Legislature

News & Announcements


Mar 6, 2024
Recent Posts

House Passes Bill Requiring Student Communications to Include Parent

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, on Wednesday passed a bill in the House that would require school personnel engaging in electronic or digital communication with a student to include the student's parent or guardians. Exceptions to House Bill 3958 may be made in case of an emergency, subject to subsequent notification to the parent or guardian. The measure stipulates that school personnel shall make reasonable efforts to use school-approved platforms, systems, or applications that allow automatic inclusion of parents or guardians in communications with students. "This protects our students from receiving anything inappropriate from an educator," Conley said. "It also protects our educators from any potential accusation of impropriety. This also ensures parents and guardians remain apprised of communications related to their child's education." HB3958 specifies that schools shall provide training, developed by the State Department of Education, for school personnel on the student communication requirements within the act. Any school personnel reported to be in violation of the new act shall be put on administrative leave while the school district investigates the incident and notifies the local and state boards of education. If the investigation finds no misconduct occurred, the school personnel shall be reinstated and a written warning of the incident shall be included in the employee's file. If the investigation finds misconduct occurred, the school personnel's employment shall be terminated, and the incident shall be reported to law enforcement pursuant to state statute. The legislation contains an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect after being signed into law. HB3958 now moves to the state Senate where it is authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond. Pugh serves as chair of the Senate Education Committee. 



Feb 1, 2024
Recent Posts

Conley Bill Would Require Student Communications to Include Parent

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, has filed a bill that would require school personnel engaging in electronic or digital communication with a student to include the student's parent or guardians. Exceptions to House Bill 3958 may be made in case of an emergency, subject to subsequent notification to the parent or guardian. The measure stipulates that school personnel shall make reasonable efforts to use school-approved platforms, systems, or applications that allow automatic inclusion of parents or guardians in communications with students. "This protects everyone," Conley said. "This protects the student from receiving inappropriate content from an educator, and it protects the educator as well from any allegation of impropriety. This law also would ensure the parent is involved in their child's education." HB3958 goes on to specify that schools shall provide training, developed by the State Department of Education, for school personnel on the student communication requirements within the act. Any school personnel reported to be in violation of the new act shall be put on administrative leave while the school district investigates the incident and notifies the local and state boards of education. If the investigation finds no misconduct occurred, the school personnel shall be reinstated and a written warning of the incident shall be included in the employee's file. If the investigation finds misconduct occurred, the school personnel's employment shall be terminated, and the incident shall be reported to law enforcement pursuant to state statute. The legislation contains an emergency clause, meaning it would take effect after being signed into law. HB3958 will be eligible to be considered when the regular session of the Legislature convenes Feb. 5.



Aug 4, 2023
Recent Posts

STATEMENT: Conley re. Comments Made about Tulsa Race Massacre

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, today released the following statement regarding recent comments she made about the Tulsa Race Massacre: Recently, comments I made about the Tulsa Race Massacre were published in a story regarding the impact of House Bill 1775 on education curriculum in Oklahoma. I want to take the opportunity today to clarify those comments. The Tulsa Race Massacre is a well-established and tragic part of Oklahoma history. My comments were in no way meant to downplay the horror of this event nor to say that it did not have anything to do with race. It is a well-established historical fact that the Tulsa Race Massacre was motivated by race. I was attempting to convey that I can never know another individual's true intent because I cannot think their thoughts, nor was I alive during the time this event happened. I would like to apologize for any hurt caused by my statements; that was never my intent. We must all work together as a state to examine the root causes of these traumatic events in our history and find solutions that help us move forward. I believe that the history of our state and nation should be taught fully, the good and the bad, so we can confront the difficult challenges of our past, and work together toward a unified future.