1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
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2 2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024)
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3 HOUSE BILL 4050 By: May
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6 AS INTRODUCED
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7 An Act relating to higher education; amending 70 O.S.
7 2021, Section 4104, which relates to degrees from
8 private educational institutions; providing an
8 exemption for certain religious degrees; requiring
9 use of a religious modifier; providing an effective
9 date; and declaring an emergency.
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12 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
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13 SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 4104, is
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14 amended to read as follows:
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15 Section 4104. A. A private educational institution shall grant
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16 only those degrees authorized by the Oklahoma State Regents for
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17 Higher Education unless approved otherwise by a national or regional
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18 accrediting agency which is recognized by the Secretary of the
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19 United States Department of Education as a reliable authority as to
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20 the quality of education or training offered by institutions of
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21 higher education for the purposes of the Higher Education Act of
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22 1965, as amended.
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23 B. 1. This section shall not apply to religious degrees which
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24 are used solely for religious purposes within a religious
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1 organization or any institution of higher education whose primary
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2 purpose is to provide religious training or theological education
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3 and which is exempt from taxation pursuant to the provisions of
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4 Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C., Section
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5 501(c)(3).
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6 2. Each degree title offered pursuant to this subsection shall
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7 include a religious modifier. The religious modifier shall be
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8 placed on the degree, on the transcript, and wherever the title of
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9 the degree appears in official school documents or publications.
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10 SECTION 2. This act shall become effective July 1, 2024.
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11 SECTION 3. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
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12 of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
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13 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
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14 be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
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16 59-2-9372 MJ 12/13/23
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