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SB 376

Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; removing prior public school enrollment requirement. Effective date. Emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Casey Murdock

SB 376 removes Oklahoma's Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship requirement that disabled students previously attended public school, expanding eligibility to homeschooled and private school students.

Second Reading referred to Education Committee then to Appropriations Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 376

Legislative bill overview

SB 376 modifies Oklahoma's Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships program by removing the requirement that scholarship recipients must have previously attended public school. The bill makes this change effective immediately with emergency status, suggesting lawmakers view the modification as time-sensitive.

Why is this important

The Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships provide educational funding for students with disabilities. Removing the public school enrollment prerequisite expands eligibility to students who were previously homeschooled or attended private schools, potentially increasing access to scholarship funding for more Oklahoma families with disabled children.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Expanding eligibility without clear appropriations details could increase program costs; the bill's path through Appropriations Committee suggests budget concerns exist
  • Program design rationale: The original public school requirement may have served specific policy purposes (tracking student outcomes, ensuring prior special education services) that removal eliminates without stated alternatives
  • Implementation clarity: The bill lacks detail on how previously non-public school students will be identified, verified, or transitioned into the program despite emergency designation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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