SB 1047 Summary

• Creates the "Oklahoma Work Program" allowing unemployed individuals receiving benefits to participate in temporary training with employers to improve job skills and increase employment opportunities.

• Participants can train up to 24 hours per week for a maximum of 8 consecutive weeks while continuing to receive unemployment benefits, with no wages paid by the training employer unless a permanent job offer is accepted.

• Employers must register with the Department of Labor and Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, maintain current tax identification numbers, and provide workers' compensation coverage and written evaluations of participants at program completion.

• Incentives include a stipend of up to $240 for successful completion, workers' compensation coverage at no cost to candidate or employer, and potential relief from employment taxes for training employers.

• Program applies only to private for-profit and nonprofit businesses, excludes common unskilled manual labor positions, and includes penalties for employers committing fraud or misusing the program; effective November 1, 2014.