An Act
ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 1593 By: Provenzano and Davis of the
House
and
Stanley of the Senate
An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2011,
Section 6-192, as last amended by Section 2, Chapter
5, O.S.L. 2017 (70 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 6 -192),
which relates to professional development; requiring
digital teaching and learning standards program for
teachers; amending Section 1, Chapter 286, O.S.L.
2019 (70 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 6 -194.3), which
relates to mental health needs of students; r equiring
training program addressing the mental health needs
of students for teachers; amending Section 1, Chapter
4, O.S.L. 2015 (70 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 11 -
103.6j), which relates to workplace safety training;
requiring a workplace safety training pro gram for
certain teachers; amending 70 O.S. 2011, Section
1210.229-5, which relates to the Oklahoma Drug and
Alcohol Abuse Policy Board; requiring training on
alcohol and drug abuse for teachers; and providing an
effective date.
SUBJECT: Schools
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2011, Section 6 -192, as
last amended by Section 2, Chapter 5, O.S.L. 2017 (70 O.S. Supp.
2020, Section 6-192), is amended to read as follows:
Section 6-192. A. It is hereby declared to be the intent of
the Legislature to establish a professional development procedure ENR. H. B. NO. 1593 Page 2
whereby all teachers in the state continue their education beyond
initial certification by the state to ensure that the children of
the state are taught by professional educators, fully prepared in
their areas of expertise. Furthermore, such professional
development procedure shall provide alternative means of education,
including one or more of the following: In -service programs, highe r
education courses, or other alternative means of education designed
to help teachers enrich their professional abilities.
B. The professional development procedure shall include digital
teaching and learning standards to enhance content delivery to
students and improve student achievement . A local district board of
education shall require a program for teachers which shall emphasize
the importance of digital teaching and learning standards. The
program shall be completed the first year a certified tea cher is
employed by a school district, and then at a frequency as determined
by the local board.
SECTION 2. AMENDATORY Section 1, Chapter 286, O.S.L.
2019 (70 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 6 -194.3), is amended to read as
follows:
Section 6-194.3 A. The State Department of Education and the
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, in
consultation with school district superintendents and school
district boards of education, shall develop and make available to
school districts information, training and resources to help school
employees recognize and address the mental health needs of students .
A local district board of education shall require a training program
for teachers which shall emphasize the importance of reco gnizing and
addressing the mental health needs of students. The program shall
be completed the first year a certified teacher is employed by a
school district, and then once every third academic year .
B. The information made available to school district s shall
include but not be limited to:
1. Information about the services provided by community -based
organizations related to mental health, substance abuse and trauma;
2. Information about the impact trauma and adverse childhood
experiences can have o n a student's ability to learn;
3. The availability of mental health evaluation and treatment
available by telemedicine; and ENR. H. B. NO. 1593 Page 3
4. Information about evidence -based strategies for prevention
of at-risk behaviors.
SECTION 3. AMENDATORY Section 1, Chapter 4, O.S.L. 2015
(70 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 11 -103.6j), is amended to read as
follows:
Section 11-103.6j A. The State Department of Education, in
collaboration with the Oklahoma Department of Labor, shall make
available to school districts information regarding workplace safety
training for grades seven through twelve. Such information shall
include the Oklahoma Department of Labor's "Youth @ Work Talking
Safety: A Safety and Health Curriculum for Young Workers".
B. The State Department of Education shall encourage school
districts to inform grade -seven through -twelve teachers about the
importance of incorporating workplace safety training in their
curriculum.
C. A local district board of education shall require a program
for seventh-grade through twelfth -grade teachers which shall
emphasize the importance of incorporating workplace safety training
into curriculum. The program shall be completed the first year a
certified teacher is employed by a school district, and then a t a
frequency as determined by the local board.
D. The State Board of Education shall promulgate rules to
implement the provisions of this act.
SECTION 4. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2011, Section 1210.229 -5,
is amended to read as follo ws:
Section 1210.229-5 A. The State Superintendent of Public
Instruction and State Department of Education in conjunction with
the Oklahoma Drug and Alcohol Abuse Policy Board shall:
1. Establish objective criteria, guidelines and a comprehensive
integrated curriculum for substance abuse programs and the teaching
of life skills in local schools and school districts;
2. Establish and review annually model policies for alcohol and
drug abuse issues, including but not limited to policies regarding
disciplinary actions and referral for services;
ENR. H. B. NO. 1593 Page 4
3. Develop and implement strategies which encourage all schools
to employ guidance counselors trained in substance abuse prevention
and life skills and to develop and begin implementing quality
substance abuse and life skills education programs; and
4. Develop guidelines and criteria to encourage teachers and
administrators to receive in -service training on alcohol and drug
abuse. The training or workshops should be included in the staff
development point syst em. The training or workshop shall be
completed the first year a certified teacher is employed by a school
district, and then once every third academic year .
B. The State Department of Education shall distribute
information or reports provided by the Ok lahoma Drug and Alcohol
Abuse Policy Board, to each school district and, upon request, to
members of the public. Upon request of the chief administrator of a
school or school district, the Department shall provide technical
assistance to schools and schoo l districts to implement policies and
programs pursuant to guidelines provided by the Oklahoma Drug and
Alcohol Abuse Policy Board and shall provide a clearinghouse program
accessible by school districts to provide information about life
skills and drug and alcohol abuse prevention curricula and programs.
C. Final determination of materials to be used, means of
implementation of the curriculum, and ages and times at which
students receive instruction about said life skills and drug and
alcohol abuse prevention shall be made by the local school board.
The local school district, at least one (1) month prior to giving
such instruction to students, shall conduct for parents and
guardians of students involved, during weekend or evening hours, at
least one presentation concerning the plans for instruction and the
materials to be used. No student shall be required to receive
instruction about said life skills and drug and alcohol abuse
prevention if a parent or guardian of the student objects in
writing.
SECTION 5. This act shall become effective November 1, 2021.
ENR. H. B. NO. 1593 Page 5
Passed the House of Representatives the 1st day of March, 2021.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
Passed the Senate the 14th day of April, 2021.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________