Oklahoma Senate Bill SB348

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

State government; prohibiting state agencies and departments from adopting certain policies. Emergency.

Impact

If SB348 is enacted, it will impact state law by barring governmental agencies from implementing training that could be seen as endorsing bias or discrimination. This includes both public agencies and political subdivisions of the state. Although agencies are still allowed to promote diversity and inclusiveness, they must ensure that their efforts comply with this new restriction. By codifying this prohibition, the bill seeks to create a legal framework that emphasizes a non-discriminatory approach toward training and policy development within state institutions.

Summary

Senate Bill 348 aims to prohibit state agencies, departments, and other governmental bodies in Oklahoma from adopting policies or training materials that promote 'race or sex stereotyping' or 'scapegoating.' The bill defines these terms clearly — stereotyping refers to ascribing certain character traits or beliefs to individuals based on their race or sex, while scapegoating assigns blame based on such characteristics. The intent behind this legislation is to prevent discrimination and ensure that governmental agencies do not engage in practices that could be interpreted as promoting division based on race or sex.

Contention

The passage of SB348 is likely to ignite debates regarding its implications for racial and gender issues in training practices. Supporters of the bill argue that it protects individuals from being unfairly categorized based on their physical characteristics. However, opponents may contend that banning discussions related to race and gender dynamics in training can hinder progress towards inclusivity and recognition of systemic issues. Therefore, the bill stands to be controversial as it delineates the balance between protecting against discrimination and promoting necessary discussions around diversity and equity.