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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
SENATE BILL 799 By: Pederson
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to students; amending Section 1,
Chapter 297, O.S.L. 2024 (70 O.S. Supp. 2024, Section
6-401), which relates to electro nic or digital
communications between students and school personnel;
providing for inclusion of alternate adult in
communications with certain students; providing
exceptions; updating statutory reference; providing
an effective date; and declaring an emerg ency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY Section 1, Chapter 297, O.S.L.
2024 (70 O.S. Supp. 2024, Section 6 -401), is amended to read as
follows:
Section 6-401. A. As used in t his section:
1. “Electronic or digital communication ” includes, but is not
limited to, emails, text messages, instant messages, direct
messages, social media messages, messages sent through software
applications, and any other electronic digital means of
communication; and
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2. “School personnel” means teachers, coaches, administrat ors,
school bus drivers, or any other persons employed full -time or part-
time by a public school or charter school.
B. 1. School personnel engaging in electronic or digital
communication with an individual student shall include the student ’s
parent or, guardian, or alternate adult provided for in paragraph 2
of this subsection in any electronic or digital communication,
unless such communication is on a school -approved platform and
related to school and academic communications.
2. Students who are known to be homeless children and youth as
defined in Section 600 of Title 10 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall,
in lieu of a parent or guardian, have an alternate adult included in
the electronic or digital communication. The alternate adult shall
be:
a. a school administrator,
b. the McKinney-Vento homeless liaison of a public
school, or
c. a case manager employed by a homeless shelter,
transitional living program, or a continuum of car e
lead agency.
C. Exceptions to the requirement in subsection B of this
section may be made in case of an emergency, subject to subsequent
notification to the parent or, guardian, or alternate adult provided
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for in paragraph 2 of subsection B of this sect ion. The provisions
of subsection B of this section shall not apply to:
1. Communications between a student and school personnel who
have a familial relationship with the student; and
2. Communications between a student and school personnel that
are outside the scope of the school personnel ’s employment.
D. School personnel shal l make reasonable efforts to use
school-approved platforms, systems, or applications that allow
automatic inclusion of parents or, guardians, or alternate adults
provided for in paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section in
communications with students.
D. E. Schools shall provide training, developed by the State
Department of Education, for school personnel on the student
communication requirements of this section.
E. F. Any school personnel who is reported to be in violation
of subsection B of this sec tion shall be put on administrative leave
while the school district investigates the incident and notifies the
board of education. If the investigation finds that no misconduct
occurred, the school personnel shall be reinstated and the incident
shall be noted in the school personnel ’s employee file. If the
investigation finds misconduct occurred, the school personnel shall
be disciplined according to the school district board of education’s
policy, up to and including termination of employment, and the
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incident shall be reported to law enforcement pursuant to Section
1210.163 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes this title.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effect ive July 1, 2025.
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 and
be in full force from and a fter its passage and approval.
60-1-6 EB 1/15/2025 7:20:54 PM