Senate Bill 1047 Summary

• Amends 40 O.S. 2011, Section 2-205.1 to make unemployment eligibility language gender-neutral and allows individuals receiving unemployment benefits to participate in training without losing eligibility.

• Creates the Oklahoma Work Program enabling unemployed individuals to receive temporary job training (maximum 24 hours per week for up to 8 weeks) with registered Oklahoma employers while continuing to receive unemployment benefits.

• Requires training employers to register with the Department of Labor and Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, maintain current federal and state tax identification numbers, and provide workers' compensation coverage.

• Provides participants with a stipend up to $240 for successful training completion, workers' compensation coverage at no cost, and requires employers to conduct written evaluations assessing job match and employment likelihood.

• Limits program eligibility to private for-profit and nonprofit businesses (excludes state agencies and political subdivisions) and restricts common unskilled manual labor positions from participation; establishes priority for new, small, or expanding businesses.