× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Mary Fallin on Tuesday signed a measure requiring public school students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance at least once a week.

Senate Bill 1143 would also let students not wishing to say the Pledge of Allegiance to opt out.

“In most schools, it is not necessary (to require it), but there are some schools that don’t do it for different reasons,” said Sen. Larry Boggs, R-Wilburton, the Senate author. “I never thought we would have to make a requirement out of it.”

Fallin also signed Senate Bill 1372 that would lower the age requirement for joining the Oklahoma Highway Patrol from 23 years old to 21.

Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, said the measure was requested by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. It is needed to increase the pool of eligible candidates, said Brecheen, the Senate author of the bill.

The measure reduces the educational requirement to an associate’s degree from a bachelor’s, something that had yet to be implemented, Brecheen said.

The measure also allows some military service to count toward the academic requirement. Military service could count for up to 30 hours toward the associate’s degree, Brecheen said.