HB 1848 creates an Oklahoma income tax credit for employers that covers up to 30% of eligible childcare expenses for employees' children aged 5 or younger. Qualifying expenses include direct childcare assistance, operating a childcare facility for employees, or reserving spots at a licensed childcare facility. The credit is capped at $30,000 per employer annually and $5 million statewide per fiscal year, and applies to tax years 2026 through 2030. This policy aims to reduce childcare costs for working families by incentivizing employer-supported childcare solutions.
HB 1011 creates a voluntary Education Employee Assistance Program within Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to help school employees manage personal issues like mental health challenges, substance abuse, or financial difficulties that affect job performance. The program provides assessment, referral, and counseling services to employees and their families, with all participation records kept confidential and separate from regular personnel files. School districts may maintain their own employee assistance programs as long as they follow the same confidentiality rules and record-keeping standards established by the Department. Participation or nonparticipation does not impact an employee's discipline or employment status.
SB 943, the Oklahoma Medical Freedom Act, protects Oklahomans' right to refuse medical treatments, vaccines, or procedures without discrimination in employment, public accommodations, or legal rights. It prohibits healthcare licensing boards from disciplining professionals who voice concerns about mandates, advocate for patient autonomy, or report unethical practices. The bill creates a legal cause of action for healthcare workers facing retaliation, allowing them to seek injunctive relief, damages, and expedited court review. It directly affects Oklahoma residents exercising medical choices and healthcare professionals speaking out against coercive policies.
SB 615 sets a salary cap for most Oklahoma state employees, limiting annual pay to no more than the Governor's salary (as defined in state law) starting July 1, 2025. It directly affects most state workers, excluding two key groups: higher education staff (including university officials under the State Regents) and licensed healthcare professionals (like doctors and nurses) working for state agencies. The bill requires state departments to seek legislative approval via joint resolution for any compensation exceeding the Governor's salary, though exemptions for the listed groups remain automatic. This creates a clear, enforceable limit on executive branch pay without altering existing salary structures for exempted roles.
HB 1087 establishes a new minimum salary schedule for Oklahoma public school teachers based on years of experience and education level, directly affecting all certified teachers in the state's public schools. The bill sets specific annual salary amounts ranging from $39,601 for entry-level teachers with a Bachelor's degree to $65,319 for those with 35+ years of experience and a Doctorate. It clarifies that "fringe benefits" exclude certain retirement contributions and requires school districts to notify teachers if salary adjustments would fall below the minimum schedule. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year after being approved by the governor on May 30, 2025.
SB 924 amends Oklahoma's Employment Security Act of 1980 to update procedures for unemployment claims. It modifies definitions (including clarifying "digital portal filing" and "electronic e-filing"), allows the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission to adjust appeal filing requirements, and updates rules for dismissing cases due to missing information or confidentiality. These changes directly affect claimants applying for unemployment benefits, employers, and the Commission. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on May 10, 2025, and did not become law.
HB 2288 modifies rules for retired Oklahoma teachers who return to public school employment. It establishes a 60-day cooling-off period after retirement before reemployment and sets annual earnings limits: retired teachers under 62 may earn up to half their final salary (or Social Security's limit, whichever is lower), while those 62+ may earn up to $30,000 or half their final salary. The bill also creates a three-year exception (ending July 2027) allowing certain retired teachers who haven't worked for a public school in the past year to return without earnings limits. It clarifies that part-time work for state government (like the Legislature) doesn't count as public school employment under these rules.
SB 609 allows Oklahoma police officers to count up to five years of prior service from certain out-of-state public retirement systems toward their Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System benefits. It applies to officers who previously worked in another state’s, county, or municipal retirement system but are not currently receiving benefits from that system. The bill permits this service to be transferred via trustee-to-trustee transfers or member payments, without changing retirement age or vesting requirements. The transferred service is added to an officer’s record after they reach normal retirement age or vesting date.
SB 816 creates two tax credits for Oklahoma taxpayers: (1) an employer credit covering 30-50% of costs for child care services, facilities, or on-site construction for employees' children, capped at $30,000 per business annually; and (2) a $1,000 refundable credit for qualified child care workers who meet specific employment and education requirements (e.g., 8+ months at a licensed facility, enrolled in Oklahoma's quality system, 12+ credit hours). The bill directly affects employers offering child care benefits and licensed child care workers in Oklahoma. Key provisions include annual credit 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. The credit for workers is refundable, meaning it can reduce tax liability below zero, while employer credits cannot.
SB 1203 adds adoption leave to Oklahoma's existing paid leave policies for education employees, including teachers and school district staff. The bill allows eligible employees to take up to 90 days of paid leave for adoption, with continued credit toward salary and retirement benefits. It also establishes a leave sharing program where colleagues can donate sick leave to support adoption-related absences. The law updates multiple statutes to replace "maternity leave" with "maternity or adoption leave" and modifies revolving fund names and purposes to reflect this change. This applies directly to full-time education employees in Oklahoma public schools.
