ENGROSSED HOUSE
BILL NO. 2160	By:	Nelson of the House

			and

		Jolley of the Senate

An Act relating to schools; requiring the award of court costs and attorney fees to prevailing students or parents in an action filed by a school district; allowing the inclusion of expert witness fees; and providing for codification.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5-149 of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
If a school district board of education initiates any civil action or proceeding against a current or former student enrolled in the school district or the parent or guardian of a student, and the current or former student or parent or guardian of the student is the prevailing party in the action or proceeding, the court shall enter an order awarding court costs and reasonable attorney fees to the current or former student or parent or guardian of the student.  Expert witness fees may be included by the court as part of the costs awarded under this section.
Passed the House of Representatives the 6th day of March, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives

Passed the Senate the ___ day of __________, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate