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 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 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 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 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.
HB 2958 provides a 9% salary increase for full-time Oklahoma state employees as of June 30, 2026, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects most state workers but excludes employees of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, public universities, and common school districts. The bill mandates the salary adjustment without requiring additional legislative action for implementation. It includes an emergency clause to take effect immediately upon approval. This is a direct compensation change with no additional policy mechanisms beyond the specified salary adjustment.
