SB 642 Summary

• Amends Oklahoma's Administrative Workers' Compensation Act to authorize written agreements between general contractors and subcontractors for workers' compensation insurance coverage, with premiums deductible from amounts owed to subcontractors.

• Expands exclusive liability protections to general contractors providing workers' compensation insurance to subcontractors, limiting subcontractors' rights to sue the general contractor except through workers' compensation claims.

• Clarifies that general contractors contracting with subcontractors without employees, and premise owners acting as general contractors, are treated as employers for workers' compensation purposes under such agreements.

• Increases permanent partial disability compensation rate from $350 per week to $360 per week (July 1, 2021) and $375 per week (July 1, 2025), with maximum compensation period remaining at 52 weeks.

• Declares an emergency, making the act effective immediately upon passage and approval.