HB 3794 modifies Oklahoma's licensing rules for professions by restricting when criminal history can deny a license. It requires licensing boards to determine if an offense "substantially relates" to the job duties and "poses a reasonable threat" to public safety before denying an application, considering factors like offense seriousness, time elapsed, and rehabilitation evidence. The bill creates a pre-application process (Section F-G) where applicants can request a written determination on eligibility before applying, with boards required to respond within 60-90 days. It also prohibits denial based on sealed/expunged records, most convictions over five years old (with specific exceptions like sex offenses), or vague "good character" standards.
HB 4202 modifies Oklahoma's workers' compensation medical reimbursement rules. It requires MRI services to be provided by Medicare-compliant or accredited facilities to qualify for reimbursement, and sets reimbursement rates for other services at 150% of Medicare rates for certain evaluations. The bill also caps travel reimbursement for medical appointments at 600 miles round trip and updates the fee schedule to use Medicare rates as a benchmark. These changes directly affect injured workers receiving medical care and healthcare providers seeking reimbursement for services under workers' compensation.
HB 3657 amends Oklahoma's definition of "employment" in the Labor Act, primarily affecting agricultural workers, crew leaders, and domestic workers. It clarifies that agricultural workers become covered employees if their employer paid $20,000+ in cash wages during a calendar year or employed 10+ workers for 20 weeks. The bill also defines "crew leaders" (who supply farm laborers) and specifies when they or the farm operator are treated as employers. Additionally, it updates domestic service coverage to require $1,000+ in quarterly cash wages for workers to be considered employees. The bill is proposed for the 2026 legislative session.
HB 3127 protects Oklahoma medical marijuana patients and caregivers from discrimination in employment, public assistance, and firearm ownership. It prohibits employers from refusing to hire, firing, or penalizing individuals solely for being a licensed medical marijuana user, and bars denial of Medicaid, SNAP, or firearm rights based on that status. However, the bill mandates a "zero-tolerance" policy for safety-sensitive jobs (like operating vehicles, handling hazardous materials, or direct patient care), allowing employers to enforce drug testing and discipline for marijuana use at work. Employers may still maintain written drug testing policies under state standards, but cannot deny employment based solely on medical marijuana license status or a positive test if the user is licensed and not impaired at work.
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 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 3783 creates a new "Endorsed Plumbing Apprentice" status for individuals who pass the journeyman plumber exam but haven't yet completed the required one year of verifiable experience. It directly affects plumbing apprentices who meet specific eligibility criteria: being at least 17 years old, registered as an apprentice, completing an approved education program with 70%+ grades, and submitting required documentation. The key mechanism allows these apprentices to work toward their full journeyman license without retaking the exam, provided they complete the experience requirement within three years of passing the exam and are at least 18. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2026, streamlining the path to licensure for qualified apprentices.
