Read the full stored bill text
Req. No. 3127 Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
SENATE BILL 1761 By: Jett
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to the Oklahoma Uniform Building
Code; amending 74 O.S. 2021, Section 317.2, which
relates to authority of churches to accommodate
certain overnight visitors; establishing certain
purpose; removing limitation on duration of certain
authorized overnight stays; prohibiting certain
entity from enforcing certain codes; modifying
definitions; updating statutory reference; and
providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 74 O.S. 2021, Section 317.2, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 317.2. A. The To protect the free exercise of religion
as guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States
Constitution and Section 2 of Article I of the Oklahoma
Constitution, the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code or any building
code adopted by any political subdivision of this state, or any
rules or regulations promulgated thereto, may shall permit the
authority having jurisdiction to allow a church that is occupancy-
rated an A3 building pursuant to any codes adopted by the Oklahoma
Req. No. 3127 Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Uniform Building Code Commission to utilize its building space for
temporary overnight visitors for the purpose of religious retreats,
ministry programs, overnight or lock-in events, emergency or
catastrophic occurrences, to shelter transient persons, or to
accommodate displaced persons due to hardship or inclement weather.
Such use shall constitute a protected exercise of religion and
ministry activity and no municipality, political subdivision, or
other government entity shall infringe upon, prohibit, or impose
additional restrictions that unduly burden a church’s prerogative to
engage in these activities as part of its constitutionally
guaranteed religious freedom. Such building use shall not
constitute a change in code occupancy rating, purposes, or
activities. Provided, any temporary overnight visitor space
utilized by a church within its existing buildings as authorized by
this section shall be authorized only for a limited duration, unless
the Governor has declared a state of emergency or exigent
circumstances exist. The church acting pursuant to the provisions
of this section shall not charge for its accommodations nor be
deemed not be construed to authorize any church to operate as a bed
and breakfast, hotel, or motel for any code occupancy rating
purposes or to charge fees for accommodations in a manner that
converts the use to a non-ministry commercial purpose.
B. Churches which temporarily accommodate overnight visitors as
provided in this section shall have one of the following:
Req. No. 3127 Page 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1. An automatic sprinkler system in the area of overnight
accommodations that is monitored by a third party; or
2. A hard-wired stand-alone fire and smoke alarm in the area of
overnight accommodations in addition to an exit door or window
opening directly to a public way, exit court, or yard area.
C. Nothing in the Oklahoma Uniform Building Code or any code
adopted by any political subdivision of this state, or any rules or
regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, shall be construed to
cause a church to be in violation of the Oklahoma Uniform Building
Code or any building code adopted by a political subdivision of this
state for the sole reason the church offers temporary overnight
visitor services within the authority of this section. No
government entity shall interpret or enforce any code, rule, or
regulation in a manner that infringes on a church’s religious
exercise or ministry activity protected under this section.
D. As used in this section:
1. “Church” means a facility that is owned by a religious
organization and that is used primarily for religious services; and
2. “Religious organization” means any church, seminary,
synagogue, temple, mosque, religious order, religious corporation,
association or society, whose identity is distinctive in terms of
common religious creed, beliefs, doctrines, practices or rituals, of
any faith or denomination, including any or organization qualifying
as a church or religious organization under Section 501(c)(3) or
Req. No. 3127 Page 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
501(d) of the United States Internal Revenue Code; and of 1986, as
amended.
3. “Temporary” means no more than seventy-five (75) days in a
calendar year.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2026.
60-2-3127 CAD 1/14/2026 3:12:59 PM