Lindsey Henry Scholarship

As the author of House Bill 3393 (2010), The Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act, I get a lot of questions about the program. This page is a quick reference to many of the blog posts, news stories and websites that address the most common questions and issues raised regarding the Program. Many of the posts contain links to other sources of information. Please contact me if you have any questions that are not answered on this blog. Here is a Link to all House Bill 3393 blog posts.

Powerful 25 minute documentary about this important program


Discussion of the status of the program on the KFOR Sunday morning show Flashpoint

Who is Lindsey Nicole Henry? Find out by watching the video.

Program Upheld After Six Year Fight

Oklahoma Supreme Court Ruling in Oliver v. Hofmeister (Feb. 16, 2016)

Concurring opinion (Feb. 16, 2016)

Rep. Nelson Praises Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Ruling (Feb. 16, 2016)

Nelson Reacts to New Lawsuit against Special Needs Scholarships Law (Oct. 2, 2013)

Ultimate Education Accountability: Henry Scholarships (Aug. 13, 2012)

Commentary: How do you know private schools do it better? (Aug. 6, 2012)

'Win' in special-needs lawsuit would harm many Oklahoma students (July 17, 2012)

Inconsistencies apparent in Oklahoma schools' private funds policy (June 26, 2012)

The Law

State Department of Education: Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships Page (Updated by State Dept. of Education)

Latest version of the law [HB3090] (June 2012)

SDE Answers Questions About Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships (Nov. 10, 2011)

HB 1744 - Modifications to Scholarship Program (Effective Aug. 26, 2011)

Nelson Files Changes to Special Needs Scholarship Law (Jan. 2011)

Link to The Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships Program Law (Maintained by the State Court Network)

Parents Encouraged to Apply for Special Needs Scholarships (Aug. 27, 2010)

Supporters praised Gov. Brad Henry today for signing HB 3393 providing special-needs scholarships (June 2010)

Introduction: Parents of special-needs children should have greater choice and control  (Jan. 2010)

Frequently Asked Questions

Updated: Well established case law says House Bill 3393 is constitutional (Nov. 20, 2012)

Commentary: How do you know private schools do it better? (Aug. 6, 2012)

Rep. Kern asks for A.G. opinion on scholarship taxation, Tulsa attorney rebuts assertion in story (Jan. 28, 2011)

Are Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships taxable as income? (Jan. 15, 2011)

Update: Will HB 3393 Cost School Districts Money? (Oct. 18, 2010)

Will HB 3393 Cost School Districts Money? (Oct. 9, 2010)

Schools Hurting for Money, Some Refuse to Implement HB 3393 (Oct. 26, 2010)

Will House Bill 3393 Hurt Public School Students? (Oct 18, 2010)

Well established case law says House Bill 3393 is constitutional (Oct. 11, 2010)

Federal courts have ordered public funds be spent for private school tuition (Oct. 11, 2010)

Timeline of Challenges

Legislation to Deter School Lawsuits Against Students, Parents Passed House (March 6, 2013)

Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling (Nov. 20, 2012)

Nelson Statement on Oklahoma Supreme Court Ruling on Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship (Nov. 20, 2012)

AG Statement on Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Decision (Nov. 20, 2012)

Legal Documents Related to Constitutional Challenge (Updated Oct. 2, 2013)

Oklahoma State Court Network Page on the Appeal to the Supreme Court (Updated by the Court for original 2012 lawsuit, does not include new lawsuit filed in Oct. 1, 2013)

'Win' in special-needs lawsuit would harm many Oklahoma students (July 17, 2012)

Inconsistencies apparent in Oklahoma schools' private funds policy (June 26, 2012)

Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Program to Continue During Appeal (April 18, 2012)

Nelson: Court Ruling Just First Round of Fight for Students with Special-needs (March 27, 2012)

Media Advisory: Lawsuit Filed Against Parents of Special-Needs Students Reaches Court Today (March 27, 2012)

Lindsey Henry Scholarships, New Partnerships Lead to New School for Students with Autism (Nov. 26, 2011)

Nelson: Jenks and Union Schools Should Get Used to Criticism (Sept. 29, 2011)

Jenks and Union Schools Continue Vendetta Against Children with Special Needs (Sept. 7, 2011)

Attorneys Representing Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Students Create Website (May 4, 2011)

Governor Signs Special Needs Scholarship Modifications (May 2011)

Parents of Disabled Children Sue Tulsa School Districts For Denying State-Mandated Scholarships (Apr. 29, 2011)

House Bill 3393 Petition Created (Feb. 19, 2011)

School Districts Estimate HB 3393 Lawsuit Cost (Jan. 26, 2011)

Four local superintendents recommend compliance with HB 3393, legal action against AG (Jan. 24, 2011)

AG Scott Pruitt gives defiant schools a warning, deadline (Jan. 19, 2011)

Money, philosophical disdain for program leads district officials to ignore law (Jan. 15, 2011)

Tulsa World Q and A with Superintendent-elect Barresi (Jan. 9, 2011)

Tulsa Beacon list 2010 top stories, Tulsa area school boards' misbehavior listed (Jan. 7, 2011)

Sand Springs editorial on school board behavior on HB 3393 hits the mark (Dec. 27, 2010)

New poll: Oklahomans say 'Lindsey’s Law' should be enforced (Nov. 18, 2010)

Family speaks-out about Owasso Public School's failure to follow the law (Nov. 15, 2010)

Is it true that rogue districts' only choice was ignoring state law? (Oct. 18, 2010)

Sen. Patrick Anderson sends letter with friendly advice on HB 3393 to Tulsa School Board (Oct. 17, 2010)

Parent Post on HB 3393: "They would never say she was dyslexic ..." (Oct. 17, 2010)

Garrett says schools boards impeding Lindsey’s Law are 'in violation of their oaths' (Oct. 15, 2010)

Parents: Tulsa County Schools Turned Their Backs On Us (Oct. 12, 2010)

Parent Email on HB3393: "I wonder if he has talked to parents in his district that have applied" (Oct. 12, 2010)

School board attorney "almost hoping" for lawsuit on House Bill 3393 (Oct. 12, 2010)

Parent Email: Too afraid to speak out against Jenks and their treatment of special education students (Oct. 11, 2010)

Parent Email on HB3393: "From experience I can tell you that it is a struggle to get services" (Oct. 10, 2010)

Parent Email: "These children are victims of bureaucratic policies that would prefer to see kids wait" (Oct. 9, 2010)

Steele Expresses Concern Over Schools’ Violation of New Law (Oct. 5, 2010)

Tulsa-Area Schools Deny Opportunity to Special-Needs Students (Oct. 5, 2010)

Interim study on Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships among those approved by Speaker (June 29, 2010)

(Page updated February 27, 2016)