Oklahoma 2025 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB851 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 01/16/2025

                             
 
 
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STATE OF OKLAHOMA 
 
1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) 
 
SENATE BILL 851 	By: Bullard 
 
 
 
 
 
AS INTRODUCED 
 
An Act relating to school employees; amending 70 O.S. 
2021, Section 509.11, which relates to equal access 
to employees of a school distr ict; modifying what 
constitutes access regarding statewide professional 
educators’ associations; prohibiting equal access 
from being conditional on certain provisions or 
services; directing certain communications to be 
classified as promotional events; per mitting 
distribution of certain materials in school 
mailboxes; prohibiting a s chool district from 
requiring a fee or other payment from statewide 
professional educators ’ associations for certain 
activities; requiring certain notification if certain 
equal access is denied; requiring notification of the 
State Board of Education if equal access is not 
granted within certain time period ; 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 509.11, i s 
amended to read as follows: 
Section 509.11.  A.  No school district, employee of a school 
district, or employee organization shall deny by any means, 
including a collective bar gaining agreement, a statewide 
professional educators ’ association equal access to employees of the   
 
 
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school district, to the same extent that access is granted to other 
educators’ associations.  For purposes of this section, access shall 
include, but is not limited to: 
1.  Setting up informational tables at in -service or other 
similar teacher meetings; 
2.  Speaking at in-service or other similar teacher meetings; 
3.  Distributing information in school mail boxes or through the 
school e-mail system; 
4.  Utilizing school district meeting rooms during nonworking 
hours; 
5.  Representing employees in employment matters, when requested 
by the employee; 
6.  Posting information on school district bulletin boards or 
other common space displays ; and 
7.  Utilizing school district printing services Promotional 
events. 
B.  Any association which uti lizes school district facilities or 
services shall reimburse the district for any costs incurred by the 
district due to association activities . 
C.  Equal access shall not be cond itional on provisions or 
services requested by school districts including, but not limited 
to, furnished meals, snacks, gifts, donations, or other types of 
sponsored activities.   
 
 
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D.  Communication by an employee, volunteer, or member of a 
statewide professional educators’ association on behalf of the 
association or a local affiliate group that pertains to a collective 
bargaining agreement or negotiated employment contract pursuant to 
Section 509.2 of this title shall, for the purposes of this section, 
be classified as a promotional event hosted by the statewide 
association, and all other statewide professional educators ’ 
associations and their employees shall be granted equal access to 
communicate with school employees to the same extent.  For the 
purposes of this section, communication includes, but is not limited 
to, presentations, s peaking events, meetings, emails, informational 
displays, and virtual forum posts. 
E.  Distribution of promotional materials to all employees in 
school mailboxes by employees or associated members of a statewide 
professional educators ’ association shall be permitted.  Promotional 
materials may include, but are not limited to, promotional 
brochures, competitor comparison brochures, informational pamphlets, 
membership applications, gift items, and association member gifts. 
F.  School districts shall not requi re a fee or other payment 
from statewide professional educators ’ associations for access, 
promotional material review, promotional material distribution, or 
other related activit ies.   
 
 
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G.  1.  A statewide professional educators ’ association that is 
not allowed access as provided for in this section shall notify the 
board of education of the school district where access was denied. 
2.  Upon notification, if the school district board of education 
does not ensure equal access is provided to the statewide 
professional educators’ association within fifteen (15) days, the 
association shall notify the State Board of Education. 
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective 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 after its passage and approval. 
 
60-1-408 EB 1/16/2025 9:20:53 AM