Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

1                                STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2                    2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
3    SENATE BILL 1207                       By: Prieto
4
5
6                                  AS INTRODUCED
7           An Act relating to higher education; amending 70 O.S.
            2021, Section 4104, which relates to degrees offered
8           by private institutions; exempting from certain
            requirements religious degrees issued by certain
9           institutions; requiring religious degrees and
            associated documents to contain certain modifier;
10          providing an effective date; and declaring an
            emergency.
11
12
13   BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
14       SECTION 1.       AMENDATORY      70 O.S. 2021, Section 4104, is
15   amended to read as follows:
16       Section 4104.    A.   A private educational institution shall grant
17   only those degrees authorized by the Oklahoma State Regents for
18   Higher Education unless approved otherwise by a national or regional
19   accrediting agency which is recognized by the Secretary of the
20   United States Department of Education as a reliable authority as to
21   the quality of education or training offered by institutions of
22   higher education for the purposes of the Higher Education Act of
23   1965, as amended.
24
     Req. No. 2437                                                 Page 1
1        B.   1.   This section shall not apply to religious degrees which
2    are used solely for religious purposes within a religious
3    organization or any institution of higher education whose primary
4    purpose is to provide religious training or theological education
5    and which is exempt from taxation pursuant to the provisions of
6    Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C., Section
7    501(c)(3).
8        2.   Each degree title offered pursuant to this subsection shall
9    include a religious modifier.    The religious modifier shall be
10   placed on the degree, on the transcript, and wherever the title of
11   the degree appears in official school documents or publications.
12       SECTION 2.   This act shall become effective July 1, 2024.
13       SECTION 3.   It being immediately necessary for the preservation
14   of the public peace, health, or safety, an emergency is hereby
15   declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
16   be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
17
18       59-2-2437       EB        11/20/2023 11:04:14 AM
19
20
21
22
23
24
     Req. No. 2437                                                Page 2