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ENGROSSED SENATE
BILL NO. 1207 By: Prieto, Hamilton, and
Bullard of the Senate
and
May of the House
An Act relating to higher education; amending 70 O.S.
2021, Section 4104, which relates to degrees offered
by private institutions; exempting fr om certain
requirements religious degrees issued by certain
institutions; requiring religious degrees and
associated documents to contain certain modifier;
providing an effective date; and declaring an
emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STAT E OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 202 1, Section 4104, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 4104. A. A private educationa l institution shall grant
only those degrees authorized by the Oklahoma State Regents for
Higher Education unless approved otherwise by a national or regional
accrediting agency which is recognized by the Secretary of the
United States Department of Education as a reliable authority as to
the quality of education or training offered by institutions of
higher education for the purposes of the Higher Education Act of
1965, as amended.
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B. 1. This section shall not apply to religious degrees which
are used solely for religious purposes within a religious
organization or any institution of higher educat ion whose primary
purpose is to provide religious training or theological education
and which is exempt from taxation pursuant to the provisions of
Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C., Secti on
501(c)(3).
2. Each degree title offered pursuant to this subsection shall
include a religious modifier. The relig ious modifier shall be
placed on the degree, on the transcript, and wherever the title of
the degree appears in official school documents or publications.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2024.
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 an d
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
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Passed the Senate the 20th day of February, 2024.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________,
2024.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives