Bill > SB2120

This bill, concerning The Governmental Tort Claims Act, establishes new rules for settling wrongful termination claims brought by employees against public institutions of higher education in Oklahoma. Specifically, it defines "employee" as someone working for such an institution and "institution" as any public college or university under the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. A "wrongful termination claim" is defined as any legal action alleging an employee was improperly fired under state law. The bill caps the total payout for these claims, whether through settlement, arbitration, or court judgment, at two years of the employee's base salary or compensation at the time of termination. This cap includes back pay, compensatory damages, and other monetary relief, but importantly, it excludes retirement contributions already earned by the employee and any accrued unpaid wages or leave. The bill clarifies that these limitations do not apply to wrongful termination claims based on federal law, nor do they restrict remedies available under federal law if those remedies are protected from state-level limitations. This new law is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.

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http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb2120&Session=2600