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 851 By: Bullard
3
4
4
5
5
6 AS INTRODUCED
6
7 An Act relating to school employees; amending 70 O.S.
7 2021, Section 509.11, which relates to equal access
8 to employees of a school district; modifying what
8 constitutes access regarding statewide professional
9 educators' associations; prohibiting equal access
9 from being conditional on certain provisions or
10 services; directing certain communications to be
10 classified as promotional events; permitting
11 distribution of certain materials in school
11 mailboxes; prohibiting a school district from
12 requiring a fee or other payment from statewide
12 professional educators' associations for certain
13 activities; requiring certain notification if certain
13 equal access is denied; requiring notification of the
14 State Board of Education if equal access is not
14 granted within certain time period; providing an
15 effective date; and declaring an emergency.
15
16
16
17
17
18 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
18
19 SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 509.11, is
19
20 amended to read as follows:
20
21 Section 509.11. A. No school district, employee of a school
21
22 district, or employee organization shall deny by any means,
22
23 including a collective bargaining agreement, a statewide
23
24 professional educators' association equal access to employees of the
24
Req. No. 408 Page 1
1 school district, to the same extent that access is granted to other
1
2 educators' associations. For purposes of this section, access shall
2
3 include, but is not limited to:
3
4 1. Setting up informational tables at in-service or other
4
5 similar teacher meetings;
5
6 2. Speaking at in-service or other similar teacher meetings;
6
7 3. Distributing information in school mail boxes or through the
7
8 school e-mail system;
8
9 4. Utilizing school district meeting rooms during nonworking
9
10 hours;
10
11 5. Representing employees in employment matters, when requested
11
12 by the employee;
12
13 6. Posting information on school district bulletin boards or
13
14 other common space displays; and
14
15 7. Utilizing school district printing services Promotional
15
16 events.
16
17 B. Any association which utilizes school district facilities or
17
18 services shall reimburse the district for any costs incurred by the
18
19 district due to association activities.
19
20 C. Equal access shall not be conditional on provisions or
20
21 services requested by school districts including, but not limited
21
22 to, furnished meals, snacks, gifts, donations, or other types of
22
23 sponsored activities.
23
24
24
Req. No. 408 Page 2
1 D. Communication by an employee, volunteer, or member of a
1
2 statewide professional educators' association on behalf of the
2
3 association or a local affiliate group that pertains to a collective
3
4 bargaining agreement or negotiated employment contract pursuant to
4
5 Section 509.2 of this title shall, for the purposes of this section,
5
6 be classified as a promotional event hosted by the statewide
6
7 association, and all other statewide professional educators'
7
8 associations and their employees shall be granted equal access to
8
9 communicate with school employees to the same extent. For the
9
10 purposes of this section, communication includes, but is not limited
10
11 to, presentations, speaking events, meetings, emails, informational
11
12 displays, and virtual forum posts.
12
13 E. Distribution of promotional materials to all employees in
13
14 school mailboxes by employees or associated members of a statewide
14
15 professional educators' association shall be permitted. Promotional
15
16 materials may include, but are not limited to, promotional
16
17 brochures, competitor comparison brochures, informational pamphlets,
17
18 membership applications, gift items, and association member gifts.
18
19 F. School districts shall not require a fee or other payment
19
20 from statewide professional educators' associations for access,
20
21 promotional material review, promotional material distribution, or
21
22 other related activities.
22
23
23
24
24
Req. No. 408 Page 3
1 G. 1. A statewide professional educators' association that is
1
2 not allowed access as provided for in this section shall notify the
2
3 board of education of the school district where access was denied.
3
4 2. Upon notification, if the school district board of education
4
5 does not ensure equal access is provided to the statewide
5
6 professional educators' association within fifteen (15) days, the
6
7 association shall notify the State Board of Education.
7
8 SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2025.
8
9 SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
9
10 of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
10
11 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
11
12 be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
12
13
13
14 60-1-408 EB 1/19/2025 5:44:37 AM
14
15
15
16
16
17
17
18
18
19
19
20
20
21
21
22
22
23
23
24
24
Req. No. 408 Page 4Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.