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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 district; 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; permitting
distribution of certain materials in school
mailboxes; prohibiting a school 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, is
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 bargaining 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 utilizes 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 conditional 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, speaking 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 require a fee or other payment
from statewide professional educators’ associations for access,
promotional material review, promotional material distribution, or
other related activities.
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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 1/19/2025 5:44:37 AM