Notable new laws go into effect today in Oklahoma: What to know about cursive, immigration
From immigration bans to mandatory cursive handwriting, Oklahomans saw tons of proposed bills circulate through the news cycle during the 2024 legislative session.
Here's a look at some notable bills going into effect Monday, July 1.
New law prohibits one-on-one texting between student and teacher
House Bill 3958, authored by Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, and Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, would prohibit school personnel from calling or texting students one-on-one.
The new state law requires electronic or digital communication between a student and school personnel to include the student's parent or guardian unless communication is on a school-approved platform and related to academics.
The bill makes exceptions in case of an emergency.
School personnel reported to be in violation of the law will be put on administrative leave while the school district investigates and notifies the board of education.
If a violation is found, the school personnel will be disciplined according to the school district board of education's policy, up to and including termination.
Law requires cursive to be taught in schools
House Bill 3727 requires cursive handwriting to be taught in Oklahoma schools.
With the bill, Oklahoma joins 23 other states in requiring schools to teach the writing and reading skill, according to mycursive.com, a website that is dedicated to tracking cursive writing requirements in the United States.
By the end of fifth grade, students should be able to read and legibly write in cursive.
Cursive is required by the Oklahoma Education Standards. The new legislation puts the standard into the law books.
Bill allocates $17.9 million to fund local sheriff's offices
House Bill 2914 creates the Oklahoma Sheriff's Office Funding Assistance Grant Program and allows counties to apply for a grant one time each fiscal year.
Grant awards are $150,000 to $300,000 depending on qualifications.
The measure also requires the basic salary for sheriff may not be less than $44,000 and no more than $74,000.
Law provides a raise for judges
House Bill 2923 provides a 7% raise for district, associate and special district judges at a cost of nearly $3.2 million.
The Legislature rejected a recommendation by the Board on Judicial Compensation for a 17% across-the-board raise for all judges.
Not going into effect? Oklahoma immigration bill halted by federal judge
A federal judge temporarily blocked Oklahoma’s controversial immigration law targeting people in the U.S. without documentation.
The order prohibited the state from enforcing House Bill 4156, which was set to take effect Monday, pending the outcome of the case.
House Bill 4156 was authored by House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, and Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City. Drummond requested and supported the measure.
It creates a new crime called “impermissible occupation” for willfully entering the state without legal authorization to be in the United States.
The first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by one year in county jail and a fine of up to $500 or both. The person would be required to leave the state within 72 hours. A second offense is a felony with up to two years in prison, a fine of $1,000 or both.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New laws in Oklahoma: These bills go into effect on July 1
