Income tax; providing credit for certain employer child care expenditures; providing refundability credit for qualified child care worker. Effective date.

SB 256 creates two new Oklahoma income tax credits. Employers can claim a 30% credit for qualifying child care expenses (e.g., licensed facility costs or contracted spaces for employees), capped at $30,000 annually per employer. Qualified child care workers (employed 8+ months, enrolled in professional development, with 12+ credit hours) receive a $1,000 refundable credit (meaning it can be paid even if no tax is owed). The bill includes annual limits of $5 million for employer credits and $14 million for all credits starting in 2028, with unused credits carryable forward for up to five years. It applies to tax years 2026-2030 and takes effect November 1, 2025.