An Act
ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 619 By: Bullard and Jett of the
Senate
and
West (Kevin), Randleman,
Kendrix and Nollan of the
House
An Act relating to schools; amending Section 2,
Chapter 244, O.S.L. 2016 (70 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section
1210.528-1), which relates to the Apprenticeships,
Internships and Mentorships (AIM) Act of 2016;
allowing students in a certain grad e who have reached
a certain age to participate in certain programs;
allowing the governing body of a school to obtain
liability insurance coverage for certain students;
establishing guidelines for coverage; prohibiting the
governing body of a school from charging for certain
coverage; providing certain construction; directing
the State Board of Education to determine eligibility
for certain academic credit; providing an effective
date; and declaring an emergency.
SUBJECT: Schools
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STAT E OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY Section 2, Chapter 244, O.S.L.
2016 (70 O.S. Supp. 2020, Section 1210.528-1), is amended to read as
follows:
ENR. S. B. NO. 619 Page 2
Section 1210.528-1. A. Beginning with the 2017 -2018 school
year, the governing body of each public, private, magnet, charter or
virtual charter school in this state (the school) is a uthorized to
enter into an agreement with private or public organizations for the
purpose of creating apprenticeship, internship and mentorship
programs. Apprenticeships, internships and mentorships may be
available to high school sophomores age sixteen ( 16) or older,
juniors and seniors as permitted by each school. The
apprenticeship, internship or mentorship may fill the requirement of
elective courses as the student's schedule permits. A student may
not use the apprenticeship, internship or mentorship to replace any
other state education requirement , except as provided for in
subsection D of this section .
B. The governing body of each school shall have t he authority
to adopt policies regarding the creation of apprenticeships,
internships and mentorsh ips that include the registration and
qualifications for private or public organizations to participate in
the apprenticeship, internship or mentorship progra m.
C. 1. The governing body of each school may obtain liability
insurance coverage to protect a student who participates in an
apprenticeship, internship or mentorship program authorized by this
section. The coverage authorized by this subsection shall be
obtained from a reliable insurer authorized to do business in this
state and shall not exceed the amount that is deemed reasonably
necessary in the opinion of the governing body of each school.
2. The governing body of a school may not directly or
indirectly charge a student or the student's parent or legal
guardian for the cost of providing insu rance coverage pursuant to
this subsection.
3. The failure of a governing body to obtain insurance coverage
authorized by this subsection or to obtain a specif ic amount of
coverage may not be construed as placing any legal liability on the
governing body of the school.
D. The State Board of Education may develop rules to determine
if apprenticeships, internships and mentorships established pursuant
to this section are eligible for academic credit toward meeting the
graduation requirements set forth in S ection 11-103.6 of this title.
ENR. S. B. NO. 619 Page 3
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2021.
SECTION 3. It being immediately necessar y 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.
ENR. S. B. NO. 619 Page 4
Passed the Senate the 29th day of April, 2021.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
Passed the House of Representatives the 13th day of April, 2021.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
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: _______________________________ __