Req. No. 11794 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 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) HOUSE BILL 1998 By: Turner AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section 11-105.1, which relates to sex education; requiring parent permission to adm inister sex education to students; 70 O.S. 2021, Section 24 -158, as amended by Section 2, Chapter 281, O.S.L. 2022 (70 O.S. Supp. 2024, Section 24 -158), which relates to the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey; requiring parent permission to admini ster the survey to student; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 11 -105.1, is amended to read as follows: Section 11-105.1. A. All curriculum and materials including supplementary materials which will be used to teach or will be used for or in connection with a sex education class or program which is designed for the exclusive purpose of discussing sexual behavior or attitudes, or any test, survey or questionnaire whose prima ry Req. No. 11794 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 purpose is to elicit responses on sexual behavior or attitudes shall be available through the superintendent or a designee of the school district for inspection by parents and guardians of the student who will be involved with the class, program or test, survey or questionnaire. Such curriculum, materials, classes, programs, tests, surveys or questionnaires shall include information about consent and shall have as one of its p rimary purposes the teaching of or informing students about the practice of ab stinence. For the purposes of this section, "consent" shall have the same meaning as that provided by Section 113 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The superintendent or a designee of the school district shall provide prior written notification to the parents or guardians of the students involved of their right to inspect the curriculum and material and of their obligation to notify the school in writing if they do not want their child to participate in the class, program, test, survey or questionnair e. Each local board of education shall determine the means of providing written notification to the parents and guardian which will ensure effective notice in an efficient and appropriate manner. No student shall be required to participate in a sex education class or program which discusses sexual behavior or attitudes if unless a parent or guardian of the student objects provides permission in writing to such participation. If the type of program referred to in this section is a part of or is taught during a credit course, a student may be required to enroll in the Req. No. 11794 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 course but shall not be required to receive instruction in or participate in the program if unless a parent or guardian objects provides permission in writing. B. The superintendent or a designee of a school district in which sex education is taught or a program is offered which is designed for the exclusive purpose of discussing sexual behavior or attitudes shall approve all curriculum and materials which will be used for such education and a ny test, survey or questionnaire whose primary purpose is to elicit responses on sexual behavior or attitudes used in the school prior to their use in the classroom or school. The teacher involved in the class, program, testing or survey shall submit the curriculum, materials, tests or surveys to the superintendent or a designee for approval prior to their use in the classroom or school. This section shall not apply to those students enrolled in classes, programs, testings or surveys offered through an alternative education program. SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 24 -158, as amended by Section 2, Chapter 281, O.S.L. 2022 (70 O.S. Supp. 2024, Section 24-158), is amended to read as follows: Section 24-158. A. The "Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey" means the biennial mental health prevention survey of public school students in grades six, eight, ten, and twelve managed by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Req. No. 11794 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 B. Beginning in the 2022 -2023 school year, and biennially thereafter, public schools shall administer the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey, or an alternative survey as provided in subsection D of this section, to students who have parent permission to participate, for the purpose of providing direction to schools, school districts, and communities to effectively improve the lives of students regarding a variety of issues with a focus on alcohol, tobacco, other drug use, mental health, academic failure, and violence. C. The Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services shall maintain the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey and shall provide technical assistance for schools in s urvey administration, reporting, planning, and development of school mental health prevention and intervention strategies informed by the survey results. D. If a school or school district chooses to administer an alternative survey or assessment tool to f ulfill the purpose described in subsection B of this section, it may apply for a waiver through the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. E. The school district superintendent or his or her designee shall provide prior written notifica tion to the parents or legal guardians of students to be administered of the intent to administer the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey or an alternative Req. No. 11794 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 survey or assessment tool adopted pursuant to subsection D of this section. The notificatio n shall include information to parents and legal guardians that they may must opt their student out of in to the survey or assessment tool by providing written notice to the school district, if they wish for their student to participate . F. Prior to the biennial administration of the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services shall submit the survey to the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma State Senate, the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the chairs of the committees with responsibility over common education in both houses of the Legislature, and the chairs of the committees with responsibility over public health in both houses of the Legislature. G. The provisions of this section shall be subject to the availability of federal funding. If federal funding is insufficient to provide the Oklahoma Prevention Needs Assessment Survey to public schools on a biennial basis, administration of the survey shall not be required. H. The Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the State Board of Education may promulgate rules as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. SECTION 3. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025. SECTION 4. It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby Req. No. 11794 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval. 60-1-11794 SW 01/08/25