Req. No. 2682 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 2nd Session of the 58th Legislature (2022) SENATE BILL 1141 By: Standridge AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to higher education; proh ibiting certain institutions of higher education from requiring students to enroll in certain courses; prohibiting certain students from being penalized for not enrolling in certain courses ; prohibiting certain institutions of higher education from including as part of certain course s certain concepts; providing prohibited concepts; providing exception; allowing promulgation of rules; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 3251 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. 1. Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, no institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Educa tion shall require students to enroll in a course that is not a core requirement of their chosen curriculum and that addresses any form of gender, sexual, or racial d iversity, equality, or inclusion curriculum. Req. No. 2682 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2. No student shall be penalized academically or financially for choosing not to enroll in a course pursuant to the provisions of this subsection. B. Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, no institution within The Oklahoma State System of Highe r Education shall include or make part of a course that is a core requirement for a degree program any concepts related to gender, sexual, or racial diversity, equality, or inclusion. Prohibited concepts include: 1. One race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex; 2. An individual, by vir tue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist , or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously; 3. An individual should be discri minated against or receive adverse treatment solely or par tly because of his or her race or sex; 4. Members of one race or sex cannot and should not attempt to treat others without respect to race or sex ; 5. An individual's moral character is necessarily determined by his or her race or sex; 6. An individual, by virtue of his or her race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex ; Req. No. 2682 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 7. Any individual should feel discomfort, guilt, anguish , or any other form of psychological distress on account of his or her race or sex; or 8. Meritocracy or traits su ch as a hard work ethic are racist or sexist or were created by members of a particular race to oppress members of another race. C. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit concept s related to gender, sexual, or racial diversity, equality, or inclusion that align to a degree program focused on gende r, sexual, or racial studies. D. The Oklahoma State Reg ents for Higher Education may promulgate rules to implement the provi sions of this section. SECTION 2. This act shall become effe ctive July 1, 2022. SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval. 58-2-2682 EB 12/16/2021 11:31:36 AM