Oklahoma 2025 Regular Session

Oklahoma House Bill HB2702 Compare Versions

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Version 2 (New)

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2		-	ENGR. H. B. NO. 2702 Page 1 1
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	3	+	HB2702 HFLR Page 1
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27		-	ENGROSSED HOUSE
28		-	BILL NO. 2702 By: Ford of the House
	29	+	HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION
	30	+
	31	+	STATE OF OKLAHOMA
	32	+
	33	+	1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
	34	+
	35	+	COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
	36	+	FOR
	37	+	HOUSE BILL NO. 2702 By: Ford of the House
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30	39		and
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32	41		Rader of the Senate
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	46	+
	47	+	COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
	48	+
37	49		An Act relating to special education; defining term;
38	50		requiring certain qualifications for special
39	51		education administrators; requiring State Board of
40	52		Education to issue certain acknowledgement of
41	53		competency; requiring training cov er certain topics;
42		-	requiring State Board of Education to offer certain
43		-	options for completing competency requirements;
44	54		requiring competency exam; exempting certain special
45	55		education administrators from requirement; providing
46	56		for codification; providing an effective date; and
47	57		declaring an emergency.
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53	63		BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
54	64		SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
55	65		in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 6 -189.3 of Title 70, unless
56	66		there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
57	67		A. For this section, "special education administrator" means
58	68		the director and assistant director of a special education program
59	69		for a school district.
60		-	B. Beginning August 1, 2026, no school district shall employ a
61		-	special education administrato r unless the individual:
62		-	1. Holds a valid standard teaching certificate issued by the
63		-	State Board of Education; and
64		-	ENGR. H. B. NO. 2702 Page 2 1
	70	+
	71	+	HB2702 HFLR Page 2
	72	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
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89		-	2. Except as provided for in paragraph 2 of subsection D of
90		-	this section, obtains an acknowledgment of competency as provided
91		-	for in subsection C within one (1) year of being employed as a
92		-	special education administrator.
93		-	C. 1. The State Board of Education shall issue an
94		-	acknowledgement of competency in the area of special education
95		-	federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and proced ures to a
96		-	special education administrator . By January 1, 2026, t he State
97		-	Board shall develop two (2) tracks for completing a one -time
98		-	acknowledgement of competency:
99		-	a. a micro-credential track for individuals with five (5)
100		-	or less years of experience previously or currently
101		-	serving in the role of a special education
102		-	administrator, and
103		-	b. a standard track for individuals who are not required
104		-	to obtain the micro-credential and have six (6) or
105		-	more years of experience currently serving in the role
106		-	of a special education administrator.
107		-	2. The content of the 150 -clock hour special education program
108		-	shall be the same for the standard track and the micro -credential
109		-	track, except the micro -credential track shall require mastery of
110		-	competency at or above seventy percent (70%) on coursework and
111		-	examinations.
112		-	ENGR. H. B. NO. 2702 Page 3 1
	97	+	B. Beginning July 1, 2025, no school district shall employ a
	98	+	special education administrator unless the individual:
	99	+	1. Holds a valid standard teaching certificate issued by the
	100	+	State Board of Education; and
	101	+	2. Except as provided for in subsection D of this section,
	102	+	obtains an acknowledgment of competency within one (1) year of being
	103	+	employed as a special education administrator.
	104	+	C. The State Board of Education shall issue an acknowledgement
	105	+	of competency in the area of mild -moderate disabilities, severe -
	106	+	profound disabilities, or comprehensive special education to a
	107	+	special education administrator who has:
	108	+	1. Satisfactorily completed a one-hundred-fifty-clock-hour
	109	+	special education program prescribed by the State Board of Education
	110	+	which shall include training on the rules and regulations for the
	111	+	Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA); and
	112	+	2. Achieved at least a seventy percent (70%) on a com petency
	113	+	examination in the area of mild -moderate disabilities, severe -
	114	+	profound disabilities, or comprehensive special education
	115	+	administered by the State Department of Education.
	116	+	D. An individual who has a valid Special Education Teaching
	117	+	Certificate as provided for in Sections 6 -122.7, 6-122.8, or 6-122.9
	118	+	of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall not be required to obtain
	119	+	an acknowledgement of competency.
	120	+	SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
	121	+
	122	+	HB2702 HFLR Page 3
	123	+	BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1
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137		-	3. Beginning August 1, 2026, an individual must complete either
138		-	the standard or micro -credential track with in one (1) calendar year
139		-	from the date of hire.
140		-	4. At the successful completion of either the standard or
141		-	micro-credential track, the individual shall receive a certificate
142		-	of completion which will be maintained as part of the employee 's
143		-	record with the local education agency and stored in the Oklahoma
144		-	Educator Credentialing System.
145		-	D. 1. Except as provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection, a
146		-	special education administrator shall successfully complete the
147		-	subject area competency examination in either mild-moderate
148		-	disabilities, severe -profound disabilities, or comprehensive special
149		-	education as prescribed by the State Department of Education.
150		-	2. An individual who has a valid Special Education Teaching
151		-	Certificate as provided for in Sections 6 -122.7, 6-122.8, or 6-122.9
152		-	of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes or an individual who has a
153		-	master's degree in school administration, special education, or a
154		-	related field shall be exempt from the acknowledgement of competency
155		-	requirement in subsection C of this sect ion and the subject area
156		-	competency examination requirement in paragraph 1 of this
157		-	subsection.
158		-	SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
159	148		SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
160	149		of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
161		-	ENGR. H. B. NO. 2702 Page 4 1
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186	150		declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
187	151		be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
188		-	Passed the House of Representatives the 25th day of March, 2025.
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193		-	Presiding Officer of the House
194		-	of Representatives
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198		-	Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2025.
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203		-	Presiding Officer of the Senate
	153	+	COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGET , dated
	154	+	03/03/2025 - DO PASS, As Amended and Coauthored.
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