SB 563 allows Oklahoma county employees to take up to three paid workdays per year for election duties. It authorizes county boards of commissioners to create policies enabling qualified employees to use this leave to serve as precinct officials, absentee voting board members, or other election workers. The bill requires counties to develop these policies in coordination with the county election board. This change directly affects county employees who wish to participate in elections without losing pay, while ensuring election staffing needs are met.
SB 1944 amends Oklahoma's workers' compensation law by updating key definitions in the Administrative Workers' Compensation Act. It clarifies who qualifies as an "actually dependent" for benefits, specifies requirements for certified "case managers" (including nursing licenses and specific certifications), and refines the definition of "compensable injury" to exclude injuries caused by alcohol/drug use, natural aging, or preexisting conditions without proven aggravation from work. These changes directly affect injured workers seeking benefits, employers, insurance carriers, and healthcare providers involved in workers' compensation claims. The bill aims to standardize eligibility and claim processing without creating new benefits or altering benefit amounts.
SB 1425 repeals three existing Oklahoma statutes related to health care workforce programs: 70 O.S. 2021 §2640 (Oklahoma Health Care Workers and Educators Assistance Program) and 74 O.S. 2021 §§3200.1-3200.2 (Health Care Workforce Resources Act). This bill eliminates the legal framework for these specific programs, which previously provided assistance to health care workers and educators. The repeal takes effect on November 1, 2026, and directly affects the administrative structure and operations of those programs. No new provisions or funding are created; the bill solely removes the existing laws.
SB 2084 caps settlement amounts for wrongful termination claims by employees of Oklahoma public institutions of higher education (like state universities) at two years of their base salary at termination. It limits total settlements to include back pay and damages but excludes accrued unpaid wages, leave, and retirement contributions already earned. The bill specifically applies to state law claims, not federal ones, and takes effect November 1, 2026. This directly affects public university employees filing termination disputes under Oklahoma law.
This bill establishes the "Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Medical Fee Policy Act of 2025," creating a new framework for setting medical fees in workers' compensation cases. It directly affects medical providers treating work-related injuries and injured workers receiving medical care through workers' compensation. The policy will take effect on November 1, 2025, standardizing fee rates for medical services under workers' compensation claims.
SB 1204 requires Oklahoma school districts to provide teachers and school support personnel with three days of paid bereavement leave following the death of their spouse or child, including leave for miscarriage. This leave must be granted in addition to existing sick leave benefits and cannot be reduced by local negotiated leave policies. The bill amends Oklahoma law to mandate this policy for all affected employees, effective immediately under an emergency provision. It directly affects school employees covered under Section 6-104 of Oklahoma Statutes.
HB 3265 amends Oklahoma's police pension law to clarify disability benefit eligibility for law enforcement officers. It specifically expands the definition of "mental health specialist" to include licensed psychologists for disability certification (Section G). The bill establishes a clear benefit scale based on disability percentage (e.g., 50-74% impairment equals 75% of accrued retirement benefit) and presumes line-of-duty disability for officers exposed to hazardous substances like chemicals or blood-borne pathogens, unless proven otherwise (Section I). These changes directly affect Oklahoma police officers seeking disability benefits through the Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System.
HB 3369 requires Oklahoma food trucks to meet fire safety standards, currently allowing them to use two standard fire extinguishers and annual staff training instead of automatic systems. This option expires January 1, 2026, after which all food trucks must comply with the latest state fire codes. The bill mandates annual inspections by the State Fire Marshal, with specific scheduling for high-population counties and statewide coverage. It also establishes a permit decal system and prevents local governments from creating conflicting fire safety rules, except in counties over 400,000 residents. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3467 modifies leave policies for education employees in Oklahoma, specifically expanding maternity and adoption leave to cover children under four years old. The bill directly affects public school staff and other education employees who take leave for childbirth or adoption. Its key provision limits eligibility to cases where the child is under four years of age, narrowing the scope of existing leave coverage. The bill was amended to include this age restriction and referred to the Education Oversight committee for further review.
SB 1277 modifies Oklahoma's unemployment benefits rules by requiring job seekers to complete five specific work search activities each week to maintain eligibility. It lists 15 acceptable actions, such as submitting resumes, attending job fairs, completing online job search workshops, or developing a resume in the state's employment system. The bill replaces vague prior requirements with clear, actionable steps for recipients to prove they are actively seeking work. It does not change benefit amounts but affects individuals receiving unemployment benefits in Oklahoma. The changes take effect November 1, 2026.
