SB 837 Summary

• Amends Oklahoma discrimination law to replace "handicap" with "disability" throughout and expands protected classes to include genetic information discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations

• Creates exclusive state remedy for employment discrimination, abolishing common law remedies and requiring aggrieved parties to file charges with Oklahoma Human Rights Commission within 180 days before pursuing civil action in district court

• Establishes right to jury trial in employment discrimination cases and allows prevailing plaintiffs to recover backpay, liquidated damages, and attorney fees; requires Notice of Right to Sue before civil action can be filed

• Modifies definitions to clarify "employer" includes entities paying employees, expands applicability to employment applicants, and defines "genetic information" while excluding routine medical tests and drug screening results

• Repeals Section 1901 relating to handicap discrimination and makes law effective November 1, 2011