SB1302 HFLR Page 1 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION STATE OF OKLAHOMA 2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024) ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 1302 By: Rader of the Senate and Moore of the House An Act relating to the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2603, which relates to program eligibility; removing requirement to complete certain unit or set of competencies; removing reference to specific curriculum requirements; providing eligibility for students placed in certain custody during certain grades; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2605, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 400, O.S.L. 2022 (70 O.S. Supp. 2023, Section 2605), which relates to student agreements; rem oving obsolete language regarding certain income thresholds; e stablishing financial need for students placed in certain custody during certain grades; removing obsolet e language regarding eligibility for students who were denied participation in certain school year; updating statutory references; providing an effecti ve date; and declaring an emergency . BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2603, is amended to read as follows: Section 2603. A. Except as otherwise provided for in subsection B of this section and elsewhere in this section, to be SB1302 HFLR Page 2 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 eligible to participate in the Oklahom a Higher Learning Access Program and to qualify for an award which includes payment of an amount equivalent to resident tuition or other tuition pursua nt to Section 2604 of this title for the first semester or other academic unit of postsecondary enrollmen t, a student shall: 1. Be a resident of this state or be enrolled in a school district located in this state that serves students who reside in both this state and an adjacent state pursuant to a contract as authorized in Section 5 -117.1 of this title; 2. Be a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States. A student who is not a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible to part icipate in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program and to qualify for an award notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3242 of this title. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any student who was enrolled in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program prior to the end of the 2006-2007 school year; 3. Have a record of satisfactory compliance with agreements executed pursuant to Section 2605 of this title; 4. a. have graduated within the previous thre e (3) years from a high school accre dited by the State Board of Education, or the Oklahoma School of Scie nce and Mathematics with a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point SB1302 HFLR Page 3 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 average on a 4.0 scale for all work attempted in grades nine through twelve, b. have graduated within the previous three (3) years from a high school not accredited by the State Board of Education with a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale for all work attempted in grades nine through twelve and have achieved a composite score of 22 or higher on the ACT tes t, or c. have satisfactorily completed within the previous three (3) years an educational program that was provided through a means other than a public or private school and have achieved a composite score of 22 or higher on the ACT test; 5. Have completed the curricular requirements for admission to an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and one additional unit or set of competencies in a course that meets college admission requirements. Th e curriculum requirements shall include two units or sets of competencies in foreign or non - English language or technology courses that meet the college admission requirements and one unit or set of competencies of a fine arts course. Students shall also have attained a 2.5 grade point average in the core curriculum courses. Students who attended a high school which did not offer all the core curriculum courses or students who were educated by other means and were not offered all SB1302 HFLR Page 4 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the core curriculum cours es shall be allowed to satisfy this curriculum requirement by participating in a program approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for remediation of high school curricular deficiencies; 6. Have satisfied admission standards as determine d by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for first -time-entering students for the appropriate type of institution, or, if attending a private institution, have satisfied admission standards as determined by the private institution. No student participating in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program shall be admitted into an institution of hig her education by special admission standards; 7. Have secured admission to, and enrolled in, an institution which is a member of The Oklahoma State Sy stem of Higher Education, a postsecondary vocational -technical program offered by a technology center school that meets the requirements to be eligible for federal student financial aid, or a private institution of higher learning located within this state and accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of this title; and 8. a. have established financial need accordi ng to the provisions of subsection D of Section 2605 of this title and standards and provisions promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Ed ucation, b. if the student was adopted between birth and twelve (12) years of age while in the permanent custody of SB1302 HFLR Page 5 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the Department of Human Services, in the court -ordered custody of a licensed private nonprofit child -placing agency, or federally recognized Indian tribe, as defined by the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, have established financial need accord ing to the provisions of paragraph 1 of subsection E of Section 2605 of this title and standards and provisions promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regen ts for Higher Education, or c. if the student was adopted between thirteen (13) and seventeen (17) years of age while in the permanent custody of the Department of Human Services, in the court-ordered custody of a licensed private nonprofit child-placing agency, or federally recognized India n tribe, as defined by the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, have established financial need according to the provisions of paragraph 2 of subsection E of Section 2605 of this title and standards and provisions promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, or d. if the student was placed in the custody of the Department of Human Services at any time during the eighth, ninth, tenth, or eleventh grades and enrolls in the program no later than his or her of ficial date of high school graduatio n, have established financial SB1302 HFLR Page 6 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 need according to the provisions of paragraph 3 of subsection E of Section 2605 of this title and standards and provisions promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education . B. 1. A student shall be eligible to participate in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program and to qua lify for an award which includes payment of an amount equivalent to resident tuition or other tuition pursuant to Section 2604 of this title for the first semester or other academic unit of postsecondary enrollment if the student meets all of the following criteria: a. is a child of any person killed after January 1, 2000, in the line of duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces or who died af ter January 1, 2000, as a result of an injury sustained while in the line of duty in any branch of the Un ited States Armed Forces and the person who was killed or died filed an individual or joint Oklahoma income tax return for the tax year prior to the ye ar during which the person was killed or died, b. is a resident of this state or is enrolled in a school district located in this state that serves students who reside in both this state and an adjacent state pursuant to a contract as authorized in Section 5- 117.1 of this title, SB1302 HFLR Page 7 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 c. enrolls in an institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education prior to reaching the age of twenty-one (21), d. has satisfied admission standards as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education fo r first- time-entering students for t he appropriate type of institution, or, if attending a private instit ution, has satisfied admission standards as determined by the private institution. No student participating in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Pro gram shall be admitted into an institution of higher education by special admission standards, e. has secured admission to, and enrolled in, an institution which is a member of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, a postsecondary vocational-technical program offered by a technology center school that meets the requirements to be eligible for federal student financial aid, or a private institution of higher learning located within this state and accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of this title, and f. executes an agreement pursuant to subsection C of Section 2605 of this title. SB1302 HFLR Page 8 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 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. A student who is e ligible to participate in the program pursuant to this subsection shall not be required to meet the eligibility requirements set forth in subsection A of this section. C. To retain eligibility while pursuing the program of higher learning in which enrolle d, the student shall: 1. Meet the requirements for retention and degree completion as established by the institution in which the student is enrolled; 2. Maintain good academic standing and satisfactory academic progress according to standards of the Okl ahoma State Regents for Higher Education; 3. Maintain satisfactory academic progress as required for eligibility for federal Title IV student financia l aid programs. The provisions of this paragraph shall become effective for the 2012-2013 school year; 4. Comply with the standards related to maintenance of eligibility as promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; and 5. Refrain from conduct that leads to expulsion or suspension of more than one semester from an institution of higher education. A student who violates the provisions of this paragraph shall permanently lose eligibility for program benefits. The provisions of this paragraph shall become effective Janu ary 1, 2008. D. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the State Board of Career and Technology Education shall promulgate SB1302 HFLR Page 9 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 rules relating to maintenance of eligibility under the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Act by a student. E. It is the intent of the Legislature that students in the ninth grade for the 19 92-93 school year who are determined to be eligible Oklahoma Higher Learning Access students pursuant to the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Act shall be the first students eligible for benefits from the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Trust Fund. F. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education are authorized to study, develop , and propose criteria for determining award eligibility based upon the com pletion of seven semesters of high school coursework by a student. SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 2605, as amended by Section 1, Chapter 400, O.S.L. 2022 (70 O.S. Supp. 2023, Section 2605), is amended to read as follo ws: Section 2605. A. Each school y ear, every fifth- through eleventh-grade student in the public and pr ivate schools of this state and students who are educated by other means and are in the equivalent of the fifth through eleventh grade shall be apprise d, together with the parent, custodial parent, or guardian of the student, of the opportunity for access to higher learning under the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the State Board of Education shall develop, promote, and coordin ate a public awareness program to be utilized in SB1302 HFLR Page 10 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 making students and parents aware of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. B. On a form provided by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, every public s chool district shall designate at least one Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program contact person, who s hall be a counselor or teacher, at each public school site in this state in which eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade classes are taught. When requested by the State Regents, the State Board of Education shall assist the State Regents to ensure the designation of contact persons. Private schools shall also designate at least one school official as a contact person. For students who are educated by other means, a parent or guardian or other person approved by the State Regents shall be designated t he contact person. C. 1. Students who qualify on the basis of financial need according to subsection D or E of this section or who meet the eligibility qualification set forth in subpar agraph a of paragraph 1 of subsection B of Section 2603 of this title prior to entering the eleventh grade or prior to reaching the age of sixteen (16) and the standards and provisions promulgated by the Oklahoma State R egents for Higher Education shall be given the opportunity throughout the eighth-, ninth-, tenth-, and eleventh-grade years, for students enrolled in a public or private school, or between the ages of thirteen (13) and sixteen (16), for students who are ed ucated by other means, to enter into participation in the program by agreeing SB1302 HFLR Page 11 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 to, throughout the remainde r of their school years or educational program: a. attend school or an educational program regularly and do homework regularly, b. refrain from substan ce abuse, c. refrain from commission of crimes or delinquent acts, d. have school work and school records reviewed by mentors designated pursuant to the program, e. provide information requested by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education or the Sta te Board of Education, and f. participate in program activities. 2. Students who meet the eligibility qu alification set forth in subparagraph a of paragraph 1 of subsection B of Section 2603 of this title after completing the eleventh grade or after reach ing the age of seventeen (17) shall be given the opportunity prior to reaching the age of twenty -one (21) to enter into participation in the program and shall execute an agreement with provisions as determined by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Educa tion. 3. The contact person shall m aintain the agreements, which shall be executed on forms provided by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and managed according to regulations promulgated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, an d the contact person shall monitor compliance of the student with the SB1302 HFLR Page 12 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 terms of the agreement. The Oklaho ma State Regents for Higher Education are authorized to process student agreements and verify compliance with the agreements. Students failing to comp ly with the terms of the agreement s hall not be eligible for the awards provided in Section 2604 of this title. D. Except as otherwise provided for in subsection E of this section and except for students who qualify pursuant to subsection B of Section 2603 of this title, a student shall not be found to be in financial need for purposes of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program if: 1. At the time the student applies for participation in the program during the eighth, ninth, or tenth grade for students enrolled in a public or private sch ool, or between the ages of thirteen (13) and fifteen (15), for stude nts who are educated by other means, the income from taxable and nontaxable sources of the student’s parent(s) exceeds Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000. 00) per year; 2. Beginning with eighth -, ninth-, or tenth-grade students who are enrolled in a public or private school or students between the ages of thirteen (13) and fifteen (15) who are educated by other means who apply for participation in the progr am in the 2017-2018 school year, the federal adjusted gross income of the student ’s parent(s) exceeds Fif ty-five Thousand Dollars ($55,000.00) per year; SB1302 HFLR Page 13 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3. 2. Beginning with eighth -, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade students who are enrolled in a public or private school or students between the ages of thirteen (13) and sixteen (16) who are educated by other means who apply for participation in the program in the 2021-2022 school year, the federal adjusted gross income of the student’s parent(s) exceeds S ixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) p er year; 4. 3. Beginning with eighth -, ninth-, tenth-, or eleventh-grade students who are enrolled in a public or private school or students between the ages of thirteen (13) and sixteen (16) who are educated by other means who apply for participation in the program in the 2022-2023 school year: a. the federal adjusted gro ss income of the student ’s parent(s), who have two or fewer dependent children, exceeds Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) per year, b. the federal adjusted gross income of the student ’s parent(s), who have three or four dependent children, exceeds Seventy Thousand Dollars ($70,000.00) per year, or c. the federal adjusted gross income of the student ’s parent(s), who have five or more dependent children, exceeds Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000.00) per year; 5. At the time the student begins postsecondary education and prior to receiving any Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program SB1302 HFLR Page 14 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 benefit award, the federal adjusted gross income of the student ’s parent(s) exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dolla rs ($100,000.00) per year; 6. 4. Beginning with the 2018 -2019 academic year, prior to receiving any Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award for any year during which the student is enrolled in an instituti on which is a member of The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, a postsecondary vocational -technical program offered by a technology center school that meets the requirements to be eligible for federal student financial aid , or a private institution of higher learning located within this state and accredited pursuant to Section 4103 of this title, the federal adjusted gross income of the student ’s parent(s) exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) per year. The determination of financial qu alification as set forth in paragraphs 5 and 6 of this subsection this paragraph shall be based on the income of the student, not the income of the parent(s), if a student: a. is determined to be independent of the student ’s parents for federal financial a id purposes, b. was in the permanent custody of the Department of Human Services at the time the student enrolled in the program, or SB1302 HFLR Page 15 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 c. was in the court-ordered custody of a federally recognized Indian tribe, as defined by the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, at the time the student enrolled in the program. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply to any student who has received an Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award after the 2017 -2018 school year; and 7. 5. The Oklahoma State Regen ts for Higher Education shall review the determination of financial qualification as set forth in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3, and 4 of this subsection if the income from taxable and nontaxable sources of the student ’s parent(s) includes income received from no ntaxable military benefits or income received from the federal Social Security Administration due to the death or disability of the student ’s parent(s). If the income from taxable and nontaxable sources of the student ’s parent(s), excluding income received from nontaxable military benefits or income received from the federal Social Security Administration du e to the death or disability of the student ’s parent(s), does not exceed the limitations set forth by paragraphs 1, 2, and 3, and 4 of this subsection, the student shall be determined to have met the financial qualification set forth in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3, and 4 of this subsection. E. 1. A student who was adopted between birth and twelve (12) years of age while in the permanent custody of the Depar tment of SB1302 HFLR Page 16 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Human Services, in the cour t-ordered custody of a licensed private nonprofit child-placing agency, or federally recognized Indian tribe, as defined by the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, shall not be found to be in financial need for purposes of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program if at the time the student begins postsecondary education an d prior to receiving any Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award, the federal adjusted gross income of the student ’s parent(s) exceeds On e Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000.00) per year. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any student who has received an Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award prior to the 2012 -2013 school year. 2. A student who was ad opted between thirteen (13) and seventeen (17) years of age while in the permanent custody of the Department of Human Services, in the court -ordered custody of a licensed private nonprofit child -placing agency, or federally recognized Indian tribe, as defi ned by the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, shall not be found to be in financial need for purposes of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program if at the time the student begins postsecondary education and prior to receiving any Oklahoma Higher Learnin g Access Program benefit award, the federal adjusted gross income of the student ’s parent(s) exceeds Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) per year. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any student who has received an SB1302 HFLR Page 17 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award prior to the 2012-2013 school year. 3. A student who was placed in the custody of the Department of Human Services at any time during the eighth, ninth, tenth, or eleventh grades and enrolls in the program no later tha n his or her official date of high school graduation shall not be found to be in financial need for purpo ses of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program if the federal adjusted gross income of the student exceeds Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000.00) per year. 4. Except for students who qu alify pursuant to subsection B of Section 2603 of this title, the det ermination of financial qualification as set forth in this subsection shall be based on the income of the student, not the income of the parent(s), if the student is determined to be independent of the student ’s parent(s) for federal financial aid purposes . A determination of financial qualification shall not be required for the student who meets the criteria set forth in this subsection at the time the student applies for participation i n the program. The provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to a ny student who has received an Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program benefit award prior to the 2008-2009 school year. F. The financial qualificatio n of a student as set forth in subsections D and E of this section shall be certified by the contact person or by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education SB1302 HFLR Page 18 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 on the agreement form provided by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The form s hall be retained in the permanent record of the student and a copy forwarded to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. G. Agreements shall be witnessed by the parent, custodial parent, or guardian of the student, who shall further agree to: 1. Assist the student in achieving compliance with the agreements; 2. Confer, when requested to do so, with the school contact person, other school personnel, and program mentors; 3. Provide information requested by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education or the State Board of Educati on; and 4. Assist the student in completing forms and reports requir ed for program participation, making applications to institutions and schools of higher learning, and filing applications for student grants and scholarships. H. Students who are enrolled in a school district located in this state that serves students who reside in both this state and an adjacent state pursuant to a contract as authorized in Section 5 - 117.1 of this title, are in the eleventh and twelfth grades during the 2006-2007 school year, and who were denied participation in the program shall be allow ed to enter or reenter into participation in the program by entering into agreements as set forth in subsections C and D of this section by June 1, 200 8. SB1302 HFLR Page 19 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 I. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall promulgate rules for the determination of st udent compliance with agreements made pursuant to this section. J. I. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education shall designate personnel to coo rdinate tracking of program records for the years when students participating in the program are still in the schools or are being educated by other means, provide staff development for contact persons in the schools, and provide liaison with the State Board of Education and local organizations and individuals participating in the program. K. J. The school district where an Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program student is enrolled when the student begins participation in the program and any subsequent sc hool district where the student enro lls shall forward information regarding participation by the student in the program to a school to which the student transfers upon the request of the school for the records of the student. L. K. Students participating in the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program shall provide their Social Security number or their student identification number used by their school to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The Regents shall keep the numbers confidential and u se them only for administrative purp oses. SECTION 3. This act shall become effective Jul y 1, 2024. SB1302 HFLR Page 20 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 4. It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is here by declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after it s passage and approval. COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGET, dated 04/18/2024 - DO PASS.