The bill amends Section 2 of the Administrative Workers Compensation Act in Oklahoma, introducing updated definitions and statutory language to enhance the clarity and applicability of workers' compensation laws. Key definitions include "actually dependent," which pertains to individuals receiving significant support from an employee, and "carrier," which now explicitly includes self-insured entities. The term "child" is clarified to cover various dependent statuses, and a new concept of "continuing medical maintenance" is introduced, addressing ongoing medical treatment necessary for claimants after they reach maximum medical improvement. Additionally, the definition of "employee" is expanded to include members of the Oklahoma National Guard under specific conditions and introduces a category for individuals in temporary work arrangements without financial compensation.

The bill further revises terminology to refer to "this state" instead of "the State of Oklahoma" and clarifies the definition of "major cause" as more than fifty percent of the resulting injury, disease, or illness. It establishes that findings regarding workplace causation will not impact the exclusive remedy provisions of the Administrative Workers Compensation Act. The legislation also outlines misconduct, objective findings, and various types of disabilities, emphasizing the use of objective medical evidence in determining compensability. The updates include provisions on medical services, the roles of the Insurance Commissioner and Department, and criteria for evaluating permanent disability. The bill is scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2025, following its passage in the Senate on March 26, 2025.