Senate Gives Unanimous Approval to Workers’ Comp Reform

The full Senate has given unanimous approval to legislation reforming Oklahoma’s workers’ compensation system. State Senators Anthony Sykes and Patrick Anderson authored Senate Bill 878. Sykes presented the measure to the full Senate on Wednesday and said it was the result of several months of intensive work representing all entities with a stake in the system.

“There are two main goals we sought to accomplish,” said Sykes, R-Moore. “We needed to reduce costs to businesses while protecting the rights of injured workers. We’ve achieved both with this legislation.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman said the legislation is a key element of the Legislature’s agenda to create jobs for Oklahomans.

“Throughout the session we’ve been focused on passing legislation to boost Oklahoma’s economic recovery,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. “These reforms are absolutely essential to that goal, and I’m extremely gratified the final bill was approved by the Senate unanimously.”

Anderson, a Republican senator from Enid, explained the measure reduces costs through a variety of reforms based on nationally recognized protocols regarding medical treatment.

“The overall purpose of workers’ comp is to make sure employees who’ve been hurt on the job get the medical treatment they need to recover so they can return to work as quickly as possible,” Anderson said. “This bill will allow Oklahoma to do a better job of that while reducing costs to businesses.”

SB 878 now goes to the House of Representatives for final approval.