Is SB 1017 really dead? What to know about Oklahoma's legislative process, Deever's bill
The reaction was quick.
Just days after Oklahoma state Sen. Dusty Deevers introduced legislation that could have ended school-based Individualized Education Program (IEP) services like speech and physical therapy when deemed not "educationally necessary," the Elgin Republican said he would pull the bill from consideration.
Parents, health care providers and educators from across the state spoke up, pressuring Deevers to announce it would not be heard.
The legislature, however, is a complex machine with arcane rules driven by politics. Could the bill be resurrected?
Senate Bill 1017 would ban the use of Medicaid, also known in Oklahoma as Soonercare, in IEPs to pay for health exams, immunizations, flu vaccines, eye exams, speech and language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy,social work services or psychological and counseling services.
Deevers's bill makes a distinction between medically necessary and educationally necessary – it would only prioritize elements needed to make sure the state provides "Free and Appropriate Public Education."
Many opposed to the bill criticized the potential impact on medically necessary special education services. The bill states that when not educationally necessary, these services "are not the responsibility of the Oklahoma K-12 public schools and shall be the responsibility of the parents or guardians to provide for their children off campus and after school hours."
Those opposing his bill emphasized the difficulties in getting IEPs approved, and that those receiving these services need them to obtain an education.
In a press release, the senator claimed that the bill's wording may not have matched his goals.
'It has become evident that the language of SB 1017 needed to more precisely reflect my intent—protecting the necessary services for our special needs students while ensuring that parental rights remain intact," Deevers said.
He elaborated, saying that he was worried that schools would use Soonercare funds to provide birth control, gender-affirming care and STD testing, especially without parental consent or notification.
Deevers said he has withdrawn SB 1017, but under Senate rules, it may not be completely off the table.
When the legislature begins meeting every February, bills are assigned to a committee that focuses on specific policy areas. SB 1017 was assigned to two committees and would have needed to pass both: the Senate Health and Human Services Committee and the Appropriations Committee.
Lawmakers have four weeks to convince committee leadership that their bill should be heard. In this case, it appears that Deevers will not ask for a committee hearing.
Under the Senate's rules, however, the bill is not dead. Even if it's not heard in committee this year, it could still come up during the 2026 legislative session in its current form. SB 1017 could also be resurrected this year after the March 6 committee deadline if two-thirds of the Oklahoma Senate agree.
All of this is unlikely, assuming Deevers retains control of the bill and keeps his word.
Deevers also has time to rewrite the bill and offer a committee substitute, which is a term used when changes are made to a bill before its committee hearing. The changes can be small or significant.
When it comes to strictly limiting Medicaid funding for school-based services, however, Deevers said he will now call for an audit to ensure "every dollar intended for student services is being used appropriately."
Bills are typically given a number in the order they're filed and generally don't mean anything. While it probably wasn't intentional, an education policy bill numbered "1017" invokes historical memory.
In 1990, Oklahoma lawmakers approved landmark legislation known as House Bill 1017. The reform increased corporate and personal income taxes by 1 percent and sales tax by 0.5 percent, pumping an additional $250 million into public schools. The legislation also set new standards in class size, student performance and teacher evaluations.
Within a few years after passage of HB 1017, teachers began to notice smaller class sizes, a salary increase moved Oklahoma's average teacher pay more in line with neighboring states and some areas of student performance also improved.
The 35-year-old bill is still referenced in education policy circles.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Sen. Deevers 'pulled' SB1017. Could the bill be resurrected?
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