Governor signs bill to better protect students from sexual crimes

Governor Signs Bill to Better Protect Students from Sexual Crimes

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 19th) – A bill seeking to better protect high school students who are concurrently enrolled in courses at Oklahoma higher education institutions from sexual crimes committed by employees of the institution was signed into law by the governor this week.

House Bill 3258 by Jadine Nollan, R-Sand Springs, adds language to existing law regarding felony crimes against a minor.

"These crimes and the punishment for each is already detailed in existing statute," Nollan said. "But we added language to provide safeguards to protect our high school students who are concurrently enrolled in courses at our colleges or universities."

The measure modifies the elements of crimes, such as sodomy, rape, lewd molestation, and other sexual crimes, committed by an employee of an institution of higher education against a secondary school student who is concurrently enrolled at an institution of higher education. The legislation also provides a clear definition of "employee of an institution of higher education." 

Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow, authored the legislation in the Senate.

“It’s extremely important for us to make sure our statutes protect our students, whether they are at their high school or taking advantage of concurrent enrollment on a college campus,” Haste said.  “I want to thank Representative Nollan for her work on the House side, our members for understanding the importance of this legislation for Oklahoma students, and the governor for signing this into law.”