Dozens of new state laws went into effect July 1. Here are a few of them
Over 50 new state laws went into effect July 1, including maternity leave for teachers and a program to incentivize the construction of new homes.
While most bills passed during the 2023 legislative session won't officially become law until this fall, a number of them were considered important enough for lawmakers to put them on the books quickly.
One of those bills gives Oklahoma teachers who have worked for at least a year six weeks of paid maternity leave. The measure includes public school teachers, along with those teaching in technology centers, for the Department of Rehabilitation Services, in the correctional system and for the Office of Juvenile Affairs.
Maternity leave also could be used for adoptive and fostering mothers within six weeks of the child being born. The new law only applies to female teachers, said the bill's co-author, state Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon.
"That was never the intention to provide this for paternity. It was only maternity," Baker said when the bill went through committee.
New homes, new homeowners
Another bill adopted in late May creates a homebuilder program that establishes a grant process for those who want to buy a home. The Oklahoma Housing Stability Program is expected to create more affordable single-family housing units across the state.
Homebuilders will be able to secure interest rates as low as 0% for the construction of single-family homes in both urban and rural areas. Preference will be given to those building in areas that were under a federally declared natural disaster within the past 12 months.
The new law also allows for gap financing for both developers and homebuyers. Homebuyers may apply for a grant assisting in making their down payments in purchasing a home, and the gap financing also could be used for construction of multi-family homes.
The $215 million program is being managed by the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency. The agency is holding three public meetings next week, including a virtual meeting, to receive input on the program.
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New laws this month
Here is a selection of other bills with a July 1 effective date, meaning they officially became law this month.
Corporate tax relief: House Bill 1039X, adopted during special session, eliminates Oklahoma's franchise tax on businesses. According to the Oklahoma Policy Institute, corporations are taxed $1.25 for each $1,000 of capital invested or otherwise used in Oklahoma, up to a maximum of $20,000. Eliminating the franchise tax will reduce state revenue by an estimated $55.9 million.
Online voting for the blind: Under House Bill 1711, Oklahoma will now allow blind voters who cannot visit their polling location to fill out their ballot online. The ballot must still be printed out and physically returned to their county election board.
Banning sexual website activity: House Bill 2054 expanded Oklahoma's anti-prostitution law to include those who pay or offer money in exchange for sex. The new law also makes it a felony to post a review "on a website that facilitates, encourages, offers, solicits, or promotes sexual conduct with another for a fee."
Protecting election workers: Senate Bill 481 is meant to protect election workers who are subject to threats and release of their personal information. The new law makes using an electronic communication device to knowingly make personal information of an election officer public, with a result that places that individual in reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury, will be guilty of a misdemeanor. It also includes a $1,000 fine or six months of jail time for those who try to intimidate an official into improperly influencing an election, or falsely impersonating an election official.
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Boosting mental health: House Bill 2036 created the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority Behavioral Health Workforce Development Fund. Money appropriated into the fund can be used in a number of ways, including new behavioral health beds, renovations, relocation assistance for out-of-state behavioral health staff, "upskilling" the current workforce and adding new psychiatric residents.
Expands student transportation assistance: House Bill 2314 allows a school district to provide transportation to students who live outside of the school district boundaries.
Strengthens school safety: House Bill 2903 created a pilot program for school resource officers. The new law and associated $150 million appropriation allows for schools to participate in the three-year pilot program, which will help pay for school resource officers and physical security enhancements on school grounds. Any officer participating in the program will have to undergo active shooter training.
Increases teacher pay: Teachers will get a pay increase starting this month under House Bill 1119. The pay hikes range between $3,000 and $6,000 a year depending on years of experience, for all certified staff working in public schools.
Requires student aid application: Senate Bill 93 requires high school students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to graduate. The law includes opt-out provisions. Each year, $63 million in federal support aid is unused by Oklahoma students, according to the bill's co-author state Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton. States that take this approach, he added, see increased higher education enrollment and graduation rates.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: See Oklahoma laws that went into effect in July
