Bill > SB724

This bill creates the Expanding Public Sector Career Opportunities Act, which aims to reform hiring practices for public employers in Oklahoma by prohibiting discrimination against job applicants based solely on their lack of a postsecondary degree. The legislation requires public employers to establish baseline requirements for job postings that focus on skills and experience rather than educational credentials, and only allows educational requirements if the employer can demonstrate that a specific degree is absolutely necessary for the position. Public employers must provide alternative ways to validate a candidate's competencies, such as tests, training, or apprenticeships, and can substitute years of direct experience for different levels of degrees (for example, two years of experience can substitute for an associate's degree). The bill mandates that employers provide written notice to applicants who are not selected, and allows rejected applicants to appeal decisions to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services if they believe they were unfairly eliminated due to lack of a degree. The law includes provisions to prevent contractors from setting arbitrary educational requirements and provides mechanisms for reporting and addressing potential violations. The act will become effective on November 1, 2025, and applies to municipal, county, and state agencies, with some specific exceptions.

Labor and Employment

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb724&Session=2600