STATE OF OKLAHOMA

2nd Session of the 54th Legislature (2014)

HOUSE BILL 2921	By:	Billy

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to schools; recognizing Native American languages as a language art; authorizing the teaching of Native American languages in public schools; allowing Native American language classes to count as certain credit; allowing qualified teachers to teach Native American languages; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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 11-103.1a of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A Native American language is hereby recognized as a language art and may be taught in the public schools of the state in educational programs.  Native American language classes taught in the public schools may be counted by a public school in fulfilling elective course offerings and shall be granted the same credit as a foreign language.  For the purposes of this section, Native American languages may be taught in the public schools by any qualified teacher under the supervision of a certified teacher.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective July 1, 2014.
SECTION 3.  It being immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and approval.

54-2-8354	KB	01/15/14