This bill amends Section 3-134 of the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act, primarily altering the application process for establishing charter schools. Notably, it removes the requirement for charter school applications to be submitted first to the local school district, allowing applicants to submit directly to a proposed sponsor starting July 1, 2025. Additionally, the bill mandates that applicants complete a training program provided by the Statewide Charter School Board before submitting their applications. The training will cover the process and requirements for establishing a charter school or virtual charter school, and sponsors entering new or renewed contracts will also be required to complete training on their oversight duties.

The bill further outlines the responsibilities of sponsors, including the Statewide Charter School Board, in evaluating and approving charter applications, conducting performance reviews, and ensuring compliance with legal standards. It establishes a clear timeline for application acceptance and rejection, as well as provisions for applicants to seek binding arbitration if their revised applications are rejected. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025, and an emergency clause is included to expedite the implementation of the act upon passage and approval.