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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
SENATE BILL 1422 By: Alvord
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to schools; amending 70 O.S. 2021,
Section 11-101.1, which relates to voluntary prayer;
extending certain requirement to governing bodies of
charter schools; requiring boards of education of
public school districts and governing bodies of
public charter schools to adopt certain policy
regarding certain period of prayer and reading;
requiring policy to contain certain provisions;
allowing certain employee or student to revoke
certain consent; requiring the Attorney General to
take certain actions upon request of certain board of
education or governing body; providing certain
construction; updating statutory reference; 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 11-101.1, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 11-101.1. A. The board of education of each public
school district and the governing body of each public charter school
shall permit those students and teachers employees who wish to do so
to participate in voluntary prayer.
B. The board of education of each public school district and
the governing body of each public charter school shall adopt a
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policy requiring that students and employees be given an opportunity
to participate in a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or
other religious text during each school day. The policy adopted
pursuant to this subsection:
1. Shall contain the following statement: “It is the policy of
(name of public school district or public charter school) that every
student and employee be provided a period of prayer and reading of
the Bible or other religious text.”;
2. Shall require, as a condition of participation in a period
of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text, that an
employee or the parent or legal guardian of a student submit to the
school district or charter school a signed consent form that
includes:
a. an acknowledgment that the student or employee has a
choice whether to participate,
b. a statement that the employee or the parent or legal
guardian of the student has no objection to the
student participating in or hearing the prayers or
readings offered during the period, and
c. an express waiver of the right to bring a claim
arising out of the adoption of a policy pursuant to
the provisions of this section including a claim under
the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the
United States Constitution or related state or federal
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law. The waiver shall release the school district or
charter school and its employees from liability for
such claims brought in state or federal court;
3. Shall prohibit the provision of a prayer or reading of the
Bible or other religious text over a public address system;
4. Shall specify that a period of prayer and reading of the
Bible or other religious text may not be a substitute for
instructional time;
5. Shall include provisions ensuring a prayer or reading of the
Bible or other religious text is not knowingly or intentionally
provided in the physical presence of, within hearing of, or in
another manner that would constitute an injury in fact within the
meaning of the United States Constitution or the Oklahoma
Constitution on a person for whom a signed consent form has not been
submitted pursuant to paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section or
has been revoked pursuant to subsection C of this section;
6. May allow that the period of prayer and reading of the Bible
or other religious text be provided before normal school hours or
only in classrooms or other areas occupied by employees and students
who have all submitted signed consent forms as provided by paragraph
2 of this subsection; and
7. May provide opportunities for voluntary participation in
individual or group activities.
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C. A public school district or public charter school employee
or the parent or legal guardian of a public school district or
public charter school student may revoke the signed consent form
provided pursuant to paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section at
any time by providing written notification to the school district or
charter school. A school district or charter school employee who
has revoked a signed consent form or a student whose parent or legal
guardian has revoked a signed consent form:
1. Shall not participate in the period of prayer and reading of
the Bible or other religious text; and
2. Shall remain subject to the waiver provided by subparagraph
c of paragraph 2 of subsection B of this section.
D. Upon request from the board of education of a public school
district or the governing body of a public charter school, the
Attorney General shall:
1. Provide advice on best methods for a school district or
charter school to comply with the requirements of this section;
2. Provide a model signed consent form that may be used to
comply with the provisions of paragraph 2 of subsection B of this
section; and
3. Defend the school district or charter school in a cause of
action arising out of the adoption of a policy required by this
section. The state shall be liable for the expenses, costs,
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judgments, or settlements of claims arising pursuant to this
section.
E. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit a public
school district or public charter school employee or student from
participating in a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or
other religious text during a time and place not designated by the
policy adopted pursuant to this section.
F. Nothing in this act shall be construed to be in conflict
with Section 11-101 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes this title.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.
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.
60-2-2559 EB 1/6/2026 12:24:35 PM