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An Act
ENROLLED HOUSE
BILL NO. 2893 By: Townley, Rosecrants, and
Waldron of the House
and
Pederson of the Senate
An Act relating to education; amending 70 O.S. 2021,
Section 6-127A, which relates to public school
paraprofessionals; exempting certain
paraprofessionals from certain educational
requirements; exempting certain teachers from certain
additional educational requirements; providing for
codification; providing an effective date; and
declaring an emergency.
SUBJECT: Education
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 6-127A, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 6-127A. A. The Oklahoma Legislature recognizes that
public school paraprofessionals play an important role in educating
school children and in assisting teachers. The Legislature further
recognizes the increasing role of public school paraprofessionals in
the school system in light of teacher shortages. To achieve the
goal of excellence for all persons who have an impact on student
learning, it is the intent of the Oklahoma Legislature that public
school paraprofessionals be afforded career opportunities and
economic incentives through a career development program.
B. The State Board of Education shall adopt a program for the
career development of public school paraprofessionals. The purpose
of the program is to provide to public school paraprofessionals a
system of career development which is based upon education and
training advancement to encourage excellence among public school
paraprofessionals. Public school paraprofessionals who hold a
bachelor's degree in education or education studies and who have not
ENR. H. B. NO. 2893 Page 2
been out of the classroom for more than ten (10) years shall be
deemed to have satisfied any rule that requires additional
professional education coursework from an institution of higher
education under the adopted program. Nothing in this section shall
be construed to require public school paraprofessionals to
participate in the career development program.
C. The board of education of a school district shall have
authority to extend an existing contract with a public school
paraprofessional that provides for the payment of compensation for
paraprofessional services rendered for the same time period during
which the paraprofessional is also assigned to the school district
for practice teaching as a student teacher.
D. For the purposes of this section, a public school
paraprofessional is an employee of a school district whose position
is either instructional in nature, or who delivers other direct
services to students and/or their parents. A public school
paraprofessional serves in a position for which a teacher or another
professional has the ultimate responsibility for the design,
implementation, and evaluation of the individual educational
programs or related services and student performance.
SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 6-213 of Title 70, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
Teachers who hold a bachelor's degree in education or education
studies shall be deemed to have satisfied any State Board of
Education rule that requires teachers to complete additional
professional education coursework from an institution of higher
education as a condition to obtain, renew, or satisfy any other
professional development requirement for an emergency certificate,
alternate placement teaching certificate, or standard certificate if
the teacher has not been out of the classroom for more than ten (10)
years.
SECTION 3. This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.
SECTION 4. 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.
ENR. H. B. NO. 2893 Page 3
Passed the House of Representatives the 11th day of March, 2025.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
Passed the Senate the 15th day of April, 2026.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________
day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _________________________________