Senate Bill No. 699 amends Section 3-104.4 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, focusing on the accreditation standards for public schools. The bill mandates that the State Board of Education adopt accreditation standards that include provisions for deficiencies, warnings, probation, or nonaccredited status for schools that fail to meet one or more standards. It establishes a process for schools to request a due process hearing before the State Board of Education if they are found to be noncompliant, with specific timelines for requesting such hearings and consequences for failing to do so. The bill also requires the State Department of Education to investigate complaints regarding educational service failures within a specified timeframe and report findings to the State Board.

Additionally, the bill updates statutory language and references, ensuring that the accreditation standards encompass various school levels and include requirements for school counselors. It emphasizes the importance of providing educational services in various treatment programs and allows for nontraditional means of instruction to meet accreditation requirements. The bill also stipulates that financial penalties cannot be assessed against schools with deficiencies in accreditation status during certain fiscal years, and it outlines the conditions under which penalties may be applied in the future. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and declares an emergency for its immediate implementation upon passage.