This bill amends Section 5-142 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which governs criminal history record checks for school employees. It requires that a letter from a previous school district, when a full-time teacher applies for a new position, must attest to whether any allegations of inappropriate behavior with students were raised and if there was an ongoing investigation related to such behavior. The bill also updates statutory language and references, and it allows for temporary employment of prospective employees for up to sixty days while awaiting the results of their national criminal history record checks.

Additionally, the bill specifies that teachers employed prior to May 19, 2020, who do not have the required criminal history checks on file must complete them upon the next renewal of their standard teaching certificate or by July 1, 2022, depending on their employment status. The provisions of this section do not apply to part-time or temporary technology center employees or law enforcement officers already employed by an agency at the time of application. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes an emergency clause for immediate implementation upon passage.