Senate Bill No. 508 amends the existing whistleblower protection laws for teachers in Oklahoma to extend these protections to support employees as well. The bill defines "teacher" and introduces the term "support employee," aligning with existing definitions in the Oklahoma Statutes. It prohibits school districts from taking disciplinary action against teachers or support employees for disclosing public information that they reasonably believe indicates a violation of the law or reporting such violations. Additionally, it requires that any reporting of violations be communicated to relevant authorities, including supervisors and law enforcement.

The bill also mandates that school districts prominently display this section of law to ensure that all teachers and support employees are aware of their rights. Importantly, it clarifies that these protections do not allow teachers or support employees to violate the confidentiality rights of students or parents as outlined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and includes an emergency clause for immediate implementation upon passage and approval.