OKLAHOMA CITY (OBV) – Legislation that seeks to encourage Oklahoma employers to hire more apprentices and interns won unanimous approval in the Oklahoma Senate.
Senate Bill 95, written by Sen. Ally Seifried, R-Claremore, and Rep. Nick Archer, R-Elk City, succeeded in the Senate with a 44-0 vote.
“SB 95 clarifies who is and who is not covered by a workers’ compensation plan,” Seifried said while presenting her bill on the Senate floor.
The bill aims to expand work-based learning by eliminating barriers and liability for businesses providing experimental learning for Oklahoma students.
“As a small business owner, something my family and I talk about often is trying to find people who are ready and have the skills to meet the needs that we have. We think [SB 95] is a really strong signal to try and share with businesses to open up those work-based learning experiences and internships,” Seifried said in February.
Some business owners are reticent to incorporate work-based learning in their business because they don’t know if the apprentice or intern would be covered by workers compensation insurance.
“We’ve clarified that here and we think this really can be a really good opportunity to try to open up some opportunities for our students and businesses that are struggling with trying to run their business, find employees and support the future workforce,” Seifried said.
Seifried said SB 95 ties in some of the graduation requirements the legislature passed last year to expand work-based learning and help students be career-ready out of high school.
“We’re hoping this can spur some growth and some opportunities for students,” she said.
SB 95 will move to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
