Oklahoma § 70-2119 - Definitions

§ 70-2119. Definitions

As used in Sections 1 through 5 of this act:

1. "Benefit" includes, without limitation:

a.

recognition,

b.

registration,

c.

the use of facilities of the public institution of

higher education for meetings or speaking purposes,

d.

the use of channels of communication of the public

institution of higher education, and

e.

funding sources that are otherwise available to other

student associations in the public institution of

higher education;

2. "Exercise of religion" includes without limitation the

practice or observance of religion as interpreted under state law or

the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, whichever

interpretation is broader;

3. "Public institution of higher education" includes any

institution that is a member of The Oklahoma State System of Higher

Education or of a technology center school district;

4. "Substantially burdens" includes without limitation an

action by a public institution of higher education which directly or

indirectly:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 70. Schools

a.

constrains or inhibits conduct or expression that

reflects a student's sincerely held religious beliefs,

b.

denies a student an opportunity to engage in religious

activities, or

c.

pressures a student either:

(1) to not engage in conduct or expression motivated

by a sincerely held religious belief, or

(2) to engage in conduct or expression contrary to a

sincerely held religious belief;

5. "Student" means a person who is enrolled full-time or parttime in a public institution of higher education; and

6. "Religious student association" means an association of

students organized around shared religious beliefs.

Added by Laws 2014, c. 350, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2014.