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Bill

HB 1396

Schools; Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; prohibiting private schools from requiring parent to participate.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Mann and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma tax credit program funds private school scholarships while prohibiting schools from mandating parental participation requirements for enrollment.

Placed on General Order
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Bill Summary · HB 1396

Legislative bill overview

HB 1396 establishes a tax credit program in Oklahoma that allows taxpayers to receive credits for contributions to scholarship funds supporting private school tuition. The bill prohibits private schools receiving these scholarship funds from requiring parents to participate in school activities or volunteer commitments as a condition of enrollment or continued attendance.

Why is this important

This legislation directly affects school choice access by potentially lowering barriers to private school enrollment for families who cannot commit to mandatory parent participation requirements. It also creates tax incentives for private donations, shifting some education funding mechanisms from public appropriations to private charitable contributions filtered through tax credits.

Potential points of contention

  • Public school funding impact: Critics may argue that tax credits reduce state revenue needed for public school funding, particularly affecting districts serving lower-income families who cannot access private alternatives
  • Definition and enforcement ambiguity: The bill's prohibition on "requiring parent to participate" may be difficult to enforce or define—schools could potentially use indirect incentives or cultural pressures rather than explicit requirements
  • Tax credit cost and distribution: Questions about total fiscal impact, whether credits primarily benefit higher-income taxpayers able to leverage tax benefits, and whether scholarship distribution reaches intended populations

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

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