The Oklahoma House on Wednesday passed House Bill 1995 by voice and roll call, adding school resource officers (SROs) and contract security guards to language in state criminal statutes that cover certain offenses against school employees. Representative Turner, the bill's sponsor, said the measure is intended to "level the playing field" so SROs and contracted security staff are treated similarly to school employees under the criminal code.

During floor questions lawmakers pressed on whether the bill alters civil liability or contractual responsibilities between school districts and outside agencies. Representative Provenzano asked whether the contracting firms would be exposed to new liability; Representative Turner said the criminal statute change does not address civil liability and that those matters are governed by contract. "This bill does not talk about that, because I believe that's gonna be a contractual agreement between the school and that entity," Turner said on the floor.

Supporters said the bill addresses a gap that left some SROs and contract security excluded from existing criminal classifications applied to school employees. Opponents raised questions about how liability and employment relationships would be handled in practice; sponsors recommended that districts and contracting agencies address civil arrangements in their contracts.

The measure passed by roll call, 96 yeas, 0 nays. The House also declared the bill an emergency measure during the same vote, allowing it to take effect immediately if it clears the Senate and receives the governor's signature.