Labor & Employment (Employment Discrimination)

SB 1237 creates Oklahoma's "Teachers' Bill of Rights," granting specific protections to public school teachers, administrators, and support staff. It directly affords rights including free expression (like keeping religious materials in classrooms, wearing faith-based jewelry, and praying with students), protection from harassment or threats, classroom discipline authority (removing disruptive students), medical privacy (refusing vaccines/masks as employment condition), and guaranteed planning time (1 hour) and lunch (20 minutes). The bill also requires school districts to establish a due process plan for reporting rights violations, including anonymous reporting and timely investigations. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and declares an emergency.

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.

SB 783 prohibits Oklahoma employers from requiring employees or job applicants to sign nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) related to workplace sexual harassment as a condition of employment. It directly affects all employees in Oklahoma who experience or report sexual harassment, ensuring they can discuss such incidents without legal restrictions. The bill allows employees to sue violators in court within six months of the violation and defines sexual harassment broadly to include unwanted advances or requests for sexual favors. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.