HB 4199 establishes a three-year Tri-Share Workforce Pilot Program to help working parents afford child care for children aged birth to 8. It requires participating employers, the state, and parents to share costs equally - state matching employer contributions up to one-third of total costs, with parents covering the remainder - targeting employees earning 150-250% of the federal poverty level who don’t qualify for existing child care subsidies. The program will test in six Oklahoma counties (two urban, four rural) starting July 2026, with the Department of Human Services developing guidelines, providing technical assistance, and reporting annually on participation and impacts. If successful, it could lead to a statewide program, but the pilot itself is limited to the specified counties and eligibility criteria.
HB 4198 creates Oklahoma's "Protection from Workplace Violence Act," allowing employers to seek court-issued protective orders against former employees who harass or stalk current employees. It defines workplace harassment and stalking broadly (including repeated contact, following, or electronic communications) and sets clear procedures for filing petitions, obtaining emergency ex parte orders, and scheduling hearings. The law requires specific information in protective orders, limits hearing timelines, and establishes statewide validity for these orders. It directly affects employers (in businesses with over two employees) and current employees seeking protection from former employees’ threatening behavior.
HB 1016 requires content creators in Oklahoma who feature minors in compensated online videos to set aside earnings in a trust account for the minor until they turn 18. It mandates detailed record-keeping of minor-related content, views, and earnings, and allows minors aged 13+ to demand removal of their likeness from content. Content creators must maintain these records until the minor turns 21 and face civil penalties for violations, including lawsuits for unpaid trust funds. The law directly affects minors appearing in compensated video content on platforms like social media or streaming services within Oklahoma.
HB 2206 amends Oklahoma's law enforcement retirement system to expand membership eligibility. It specifically adds school resource officers employed by Oklahoma public schools (who elect to join by November 30, 2025) to the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System, while updating definitions for existing members like communications staff and park rangers. The bill clarifies service credit transfer rules and sets new eligibility standards, including physical exams and moral character requirements for all applicants. These changes directly affect current and future law enforcement personnel in defined roles within Oklahoma's public safety agencies.
HB 3024 establishes a 10% annual cap on salary increases and bonuses for most state employees in executive branch agencies, requiring cabinet secretary approval for any increase exceeding this limit. It mandates that agencies set performance metrics for bonus eligibility and document salary adjustments above 10% due to role changes or performance reviews. The bill excludes executive directors, positions requiring advanced degrees or state licenses (like doctors and engineers), and employees of higher education systems or school districts from these limits. These provisions take effect July 1, 2026, with the Office of Management and Enterprise Services overseeing implementation.
HB 4253, the "Taxpayer Dollars Protect Workers Act," requires businesses receiving Oklahoma's economic development incentives (such as tax credits, grants, or job creation programs) to comply with specific labor practices. It prohibits employers from bypassing secret ballot elections for union representation, sharing employee contact information with unions without written consent, or signing neutrality agreements that prevent them from discussing union issues with workers. The law applies to all projects funded by state incentives and forbids employers from requiring subcontractors to violate these rules. Violations may result in the state recovering funds, with reports investigated by the Attorney General.
HB 3313 establishes a new defined contribution retirement plan for Oklahoma public employees hired on or after November 1, 2015, replacing the traditional defined benefit pension for these workers. It requires a minimum 4.5% employee contribution (with a 6% employer match), allows higher voluntary contributions up to 7%, and gives participants investment choices through 401(a) and 457(b) plan structures. The bill excludes certain employees, including district attorneys, county/city officials, and some hospital staff, from this new system. Key provisions include customizable benefit forms, employer matching based on contribution rates, and requirements for the Board of Trustees to maintain tax-qualified plan status.
HB 1889 adjusts retirement benefits for a specific group of Oklahoma public employees called "Tweeners" who retired before 1989 or 1990 without 20 years of service by May 1983. It requires the Pension and Retirement Board to calculate a cost-of-living adjustment based on inflation (measured by the Consumer Price Index) to restore 100% of lost benefits due to price increases since their retirement start date. The adjustment applies to Tweeners receiving benefits as of June 30, 2025, and becomes effective July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects approximately 1,200 retired public employees in Oklahoma's state retirement systems who were previously ineligible for full inflation adjustments.
HB 1268 allows licensed emergency medical personnel (including EMTs, paramedics) and deputy sheriffs/county jailers with at least 20 years of service to defer receiving their retirement benefits for up to five years while continuing to work. During this deferral period, employer contributions continue, participants receive cost-of-living adjustments, and they can choose to receive their accrued benefits as a lump sum or annuity upon retirement. The bill specifically applies to members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System who elect this option, with death benefits paid to survivors without the standard 30-month marriage requirement if death occurred during duty. It takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 3037 amends Oklahoma's Governmental Tort Claims Act to clarify that students actively participating in institution-sponsored activities or events are considered "employees" under the law. This change directly affects students who sustain injuries during school-organized events like sports, clubs, or campus activities. The bill adds students to the existing definition of "employee" in Section 152, allowing them to file tort claims against the state or political subdivisions for injuries occurring during such activities. This adjustment aligns student participants with the same legal protections previously extended to other defined employee groups under the act.
