House Bill No. 1667, introduced by Cantrell, aims to enhance the support for child care professionals in Oklahoma by establishing a fourteen-day grace period for the completion of required professional development hours. This grace period ensures that administrative delays do not adversely affect the employment status or certification of child care professionals. During this time, these professionals will remain compliant with licensing and employment requirements, and employers or regulatory agencies are prohibited from imposing penalties or terminations based solely on the pending processing of their professional development hours. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Human Services must review early childhood education provider training applications within a maximum of fourteen days.

The bill also amends existing definitions in the Oklahoma Child Care Facilities Licensing Act, specifically adding a definition for "child care professional" and "professional development hours," which outlines the training and educational requirements necessary for maintaining certification or licensure. Other definitions have been updated or renumbered accordingly. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025, and includes provisions for noncodification and codification of the new laws.