Oklahoma legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma HB4298: Child care; directing establishment of certain master teacher ratios; authorizing certain fee subject to specified conditions; effective date; emergency.
Status: Signed into law, May 12, 2026
What the bill says
An Act relating to child care; amending 10 O.S. 2021, Section 405.4, which relates to master teachers; directing establishment of certain master teacher ratios; authorizing child care facilities to charge certain fees subject to specified conditions; requiring the Department of Human Services to seek certain federal approval; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency. SUBJECT: Child care.
From the enrolled text, May 6, 2026:
An Act relating to child care; amending 10 O.S. 2021, Section 405.4, which relates to master teachers; directing establishment of certain master teacher ratios; authorizing child care facilities to charge certain fees subject to specified conditions; requiring the Department of Human Services to seek certain federal approval; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency. SUBJECT: Child care SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 10 O.S. 2021, Section 405.4, is amended to read as follows: Section 405.4. A. Any person with a bachelor's degree or postgraduate degree shall be considered as having met the educational requirements for a director of a full-time child care center required by the Department of Human Services. Nothing in this section shall be construed as to affect annual continuing education requirements. The director of a child care center may also qualify as a master teacher for children of all ages. B. Any person replacing a master teacher at a child care center shall be granted a one-year probationary period to fulfill the educational qualifications required by the Department for a master teacher. The Department may extend the probationary period an additional year as long as the person is actively pursuing that goal. C. Not later than the effective date of this act, the Director of the Department of Human Services shall establish master teacher ratios …
Sponsors
- Daniel Pae (R, HD-062)
- Ronald Stewart (D, HD-073)
- Aaron Reinhardt (R, SD-037)
- Michelle McCane (D, HD-072)
Latest actions
- : Approved by Governor 05/12/2026
- : Sent to Governor
- : Enrolled measure signed, returned to House
- : Enrolled, signed, to Senate
- : Referred for enrollment
- : Fourth Reading, Measure and Emergency Passed: Ayes: 83 Nays: 2
- : Coauthored by Representative(s) Stewart
- : SA's read, adopted
- : SA's received
- : Engrossed to House
Votes
- Fourth Reading (May 6, 2026): 83 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Third Reading (May 4, 2026): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Health & Human Services Committee (April 20, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading (February 18, 2026): 95 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Floor Vote (February 12, 2026): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Floor Vote (February 4, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HB4298?
- HB4298 is a bill in the Oklahoma Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Child care; directing establishment of certain master teacher ratios; authorizing certain fee subject to specified conditions; effective date; emergency.
- What does HB4298 do?
- In its own words: An Act relating to child care; amending 10 O.S. 2021, Section 405.4, which relates to master teachers; directing establishment of certain master teacher ratios; authorizing child care facilities to charge certain fees subject to specified conditions; requiring the Department of Human Services to seek certain federal approval; providing for codification; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency. SUBJECT: Child care.
- What is the status of HB4298?
- Signed into law as of May 12, 2026. Latest action: Approved by Governor 05/12/2026 (May 12, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB4298?
- Daniel Pae (R, HD-062), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB4298?
- On the Oklahoma Legislature website: https://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=HB4298&Session=2600
Source: official Oklahoma record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.