Oklahoma Military Legislation & Policies

Latest Status

Occupational Licensure Interstate Compacts (Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact): Oklahoma Bill Introduced

Demographic Data

State residents include:

19,019 active-duty service members
6,833 active-duty spouses
13,019 active-duty children
- 7,576 children in K-12
20,525 National Guard and reserve members
7,829 National Guard and reserve spouses
12,627 National Guard and reserve children
- 8,115 children in K-12

Data source: DMDC, Dec. 31, 2025

Jon Arnold

South-Central Regional Liaison

South Central Region

AR, LA, MO, MS, OK, TX

EMAIL

Mr. Arnold became South Central region liaison in 2025. Prior to joining the DSLO, he served as a political-military advisor at the Air Force’s largest training wing. Earlier in his career, he was the director of constituent services for Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, and he has also served as an advocate with the Army Wounded Warrior, or AW2, program. Mr. Arnold is a proud Army combat veteran, a parent of an active-duty naval officer and a graduate of the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas.

State-Specific Progress on State Policy Priorities and Sub-Priorities

See the latest status on legislation and policies being advanced in this state on state policy priorities important to military families. Find quick access to this state’s regional liaison, along with demographic data for the military community in this state.

No Action
Bill introduced
Priority advanced
Policy Passed
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Medicaid Waivers

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/08/2015SB 293

02/24/2015SB 293

04/15/2015

Allow Service Members to Retain Their Earned Priority for Receiving Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waivers Final Legislation

A person on active duty who makes an application to the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to receive any type of state or federal assistance for their self or an immediate family member, and has previously made the same or substantially similar application in another state which was pending at the time the person became a resident of Oklahoma, the Department shall consider the application as if it had been made in Oklahoma at the time it was originally made in the other state. This legislation only partially meets the objectives of this priority in that it does not address the Oklahoma Medicaid Waiver waitlist status of military families who temporarily leave the state.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Purple Star Schools Program

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/13/2021SB 54

03/02/2021SB 54

05/28/2021

Purple Star Schools Program Final Legislation

Beginning with the 2022 - 2023 school year, the State Department of Education shall designate a school district campus as a Purple Star Campus if the school district meets five designated criteria that supports military-connected students.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Veteran Hiring Protection

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/08/2015SB-195

02/19/2015SB-195

04/10/2015

Protection for Private Sector veterans' Hiring Policies Final Legislation

Creates the Oklahoma Voluntary Veterans' Preference Employment Policy Act by authorizing private sector employers to have voluntary Veterans' preference employment policies.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Advance Enrollment

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/04/2021SB 68

04/13/2021SB 68

04/20/2021

Advance Enrollment Final Legislation

A student shall be considered in compliance with residency provisions whose parent or guardian is transferred or is pending transfer to an Oklahoma military installation while on active military duty pursuant to an official military order. A school district shall accept applications by electronic means for enrollment and the parent or legal guardian shall provide proof of residence by specified means in the school district within ten (10) days after the published arrival date provided on official documentation.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Service Member Licensure and Credit

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/07/2012SB-1863

04/23/2012SB-1863

05/02/2012

Licensure and Academic Credit for Separating Service Members Final Legislation

Creates the Post-Military Service Occupation, Education and Credentialing Act.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Virtual School Enrollment

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/13/2021SB 69

03/04/2021SB 69

04/20/2021

Virtual School Enrollment Final Legislation

A student shall be eligible to enroll in a statewide virtual charter school whose parent or guardian is transferred or is pending transfer to an Oklahoma military installation while on active military duty pursuant to an official military order. A statewide virtual charter school shall accept applications by electronic means for enrollment and course registration and the parent or legal guardian shall provide proof of residence in Oklahoma by specified means within ten (10) days after the published arrival date provided on official documentation.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

03/02/2016HB-2491

04/14/2016HB-2491

04/21/2016

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Final Legislation

Directs the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to notify military authorities of certain child abuse and neglect reports; requiring investigation include inquiry about active duty military status; providing for collection and reporting of information to military authorities; authorizing disclosure of records to military authorities without a court order.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

In-State Tuition Continuity

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

05/03/20221800

03/08/20221800

05/05/2022

In-State Tuition Continuity Final Legislation

Allows for in-state tuition for 1.) dependent children or spouses of active duty military and reserve members on orders (>30 days), 2.) ROTC cadets and midshipmen, and 3.) Oklahoma veterans and their dependents as long as they enroll in an Oklahoma university within 10 years of their discharge or retirement.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Pro Bono Representation

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

11/11/2010

Pro Bono Legal Representation for Service Members and Families Final Legislation

The Oklahoma Lawyers for America's HEROES Program, totally funded by the Oklahoma Bar Association with a one-deep part-time coordinator, has volunteer lawyers across the state who give free advice and assistance (can include representation in court if needed) to active duty service members plus honorably served veterans who otherwise cannot afford or do not have access to the legal services they need.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Legal Protections for Military Families0/5 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Education

Employment

Housing

Public Accomodations

Other Protections

Veterans Treatment Court0/3 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Treatment

Open Selection

Available

State Employment Protections2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Uniform Services & Reemployment Rights Act

04/13/2021

Uniform Services & Reemployment Rights Act Final Legislation

Permits job-protected leaves of absence without loss of status or seniority for members of the Oklahoma National Guard as well as members of the National Guard of another state who have civilian jobs for the State of Oklahoma or a political subdivision of the state "WHEN ORDERED BY THE PROPER AUTHORITY" such as the Governor of Oklahoma or another state's governor.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Enforcement

04/13/2021

Enforcement Final Legislation

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Remote Driver's License and Vehicle Registration Renewal2/2 Sub-priorities passed

SUB-PRIORITIES

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

Driver's License

05/19/2022

Driver's License Final Legislation

Per Title 47 of the Oklahoma Code, active duty members and their dependents with an Oklahoma license may remotely renew (online or mail) their driver's license when outside the state due to military orders. This renewal process is allowed three times and the fourth renewal must be accomplished in person.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Vehicle Registration

09/30/2024

Vehicle Registration Final Legislation

Title 47 of the Oklahoma Code authorizes service members and their families to renew their vehicle registration when stationed outside the state on official orders. This process is accomplished online in Oklahoma via Service Oklahoma https://oklahoma.gov/service/popular-services/vehicle-registration.html

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Defining Armed Forces in State Policy

HOUSE

SENATE

ENACTED

04/15/2024SB 1345

03/06/2024SB 1345

04/23/2024

Defining Armed Forces in State Policy Final Legislation

SB 1345 updated the definition of armed forces in appropriate OK statutes to be inclusive of the United States Space Force.

For more information, view the full legislative or policy details.

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

Emeritus Priorities

Status and Demographic Content

State Details

Regional Liaison

Other Content

Map Legend

Emeritus Priorities

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