Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Oklahoma Legislature, fetched 2026-07-23. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1
2 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025)
2
3 SENATE BILL 486 By: Jett
3
4
4
5
5
6 AS INTRODUCED
6
7 An Act relating to schools; allowing a school
7 district board of education to contract with a
8 chaplain to perform certain duties; exempting
8 chaplain from certain requirements; defining term;
9 requiring certain record check; providing for
9 codification; providing an effective date; and
10 declaring an emergency.
10
11
11
12
12
13 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
13
14 SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
14
15 in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 6-101.9 of Title 70, unless
15
16 there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
16
17 A. A school district board of education may contract with a
17
18 chaplain to perform the duties of a school counselor. A chaplain
18
19 shall not be required to meet the certification requirements of
19
20 Section 6-122.3 or 6-187 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes and
20
21 shall not be considered a teacher as defined by Section 1-116 of
21
22 Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes. For the purposes of this
22
23 section, "chaplain" means an ordained or authorized pastor,
23
24 minister, priest, or other ecclesiastical dignitary of any
24
Req. No. 1576 Page 1
1 denomination who has been duly ordained or authorized by the church
1
2 to which the person belongs.
2
3 B. A chaplain hired pursuant to the provisions of this section
3
4 shall be subject to a national criminal history record check as
4
5 required by Section 5-142 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
5
6 SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
6
7 SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
7
8 of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
8
9 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
9
10 be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
10
11
11
12 60-1-1576 EB 1/19/2025 5:37:20 AM
12
13
13
14
14
15
15
16
16
17
17
18
18
19
19
20
20
21
21
22
22
23
23
24
24
Req. No. 1576 Page 2Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.