Bills 68 and 69 recently passed by the Oklahoma State Senate aim to expedite the school transition process for military parents families transferring to Oklahoma.

“Hundreds, if not thousands, of military families are transferred to our four military bases each year,” said Senate Veterans and Military Affairs Committee Chairman Sen. Frank Simpson, R-Springer. “Moving constantly is one of the hardest parts of being in a military family, and these bills will remove at least one major stress and that’s getting their children back in the classroom as soon as they get settled.”

Simpson says that regardless if the school is a traditional or charter school, the new electronic enrollment process will help get families get their children’s education situated before arrival.

The first law, SB 68, provides school district residency status for children of active military members transferring to an Oklahoma military base. The second bill, SB 69, allows transferring access to a statewide virtual charter school, which before was only provided to residents.

“I want to thank my Senate colleagues for joining me in supporting these bills and our outstanding military families,” said Simpson.

Photo by Lt. Col. John Hall