Paid family and medical leave; authorizing the Department of Labor to contract with a qualified third-party actuary for certain purpose. Effective date.

SB 254 requires Oklahoma's Department of Labor to hire an independent actuary by January 2027 to analyze the costs and structure of a potential paid family and medical leave program. The study will examine key factors like coverage for all workers (including self-employed), premium costs shared by workers and employers, wage replacement rates for low-income workers, and administrative expenses, using data from other states. It does not create the leave program itself but mandates a detailed cost analysis to inform future decisions. The actuary must model at least two program designs and report findings publicly within 30 days of completion. This study is a prerequisite step before any implementation of a state-run paid leave system.