State Representative Rick West (R-Heavener)
By Rep. Rick West
One of the bills that is now state law will double the amount of recess time for students in full-day kindergarten through fifth grade.
Senate Bill 1481 requires schools to provide 40 minutes of recess per day for students in these early grades. The schools can divide this into two 20-minute periods if they prefer, but they are prohibited from withholding recess as a form of discipline.
It’s hoped that giving kids more time to play and be active will improve their learning in the classroom. Like the author of this bill, I believe kids weren’t meant to sit still all day. Giving them a break from computer screens and lectures should help improve their attention when they do return to their seats.
On that same line of thinking, House Bill 1276 requires public school districts to permanently adopt a policy prohibiting students from using cell phones on campus during the school day. This was in place this past school year, and we’ve heard positive responses from teachers, administrators, parents, even students. Removing the distraction of cell phones has led to better focus and academic work and better interaction between students. It’s a good move to make this ban permanent.
It was important to me that school districts will be able to develop their own policies to implement this ban as they see fit.
Another bill will put some guardrails on the use of artificial intelligence in Oklahoma schools and ensure parents have a say in how the technology is used in their child’s classroom. Senate Bill 1734 requires that student-facing tools be age-appropriate and used under the guidance of a classroom educator. School districts must also notify parents when AI is used in the classroom to give parents the option to opt their child out.
Another bill I was thankful to see signed into law is Senate Bill 1679, the “Preserving Oklahoma Values Act of 2026.” This specifies that it shall be the policy of this state to protect its citizens from the application of laws that are contrary to the provisions of the Oklahoma Constitution, the United States Constitution or the shared values of Judeo-Christian Western civilization. The law spells out what these Judeo-Christian Western rights and values are, such as the right to due process, the right to equal protection under the law, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to keep and bear arms, the right to privacy and the right to marry as marriage is defined by the Oklahoma Constitution, to the extent this does not conflict with federal law or a holding by the U.S. Supreme Court.
This means we will not be subject to any foreign law or legal code that conflicts with our state law and our Oklahoma values and that threatens our freedoms.
I’ll continue taking a looking at new laws in my next column.
In the meantime, remember to listen to my Capitol update on the radio at 7:35 a.m. every Thursday on KPRV.
As always, if I can help you with anything, please call my Capitol office at (405) 557-7413 or email me at rick.west@okhouse.gov.
Rick West serves District 3 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives. His district includes part of LeFlore County.
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