The bill amends the Oklahoma Workers' Compensation Act by enhancing provisions for vocational rehabilitation training and the payment of benefits during retraining or job placement periods. It introduces a new benefit that allows for an additional fifty-two weeks of payment while an employee participates in a vocational rehabilitation program aimed at achieving substantial gainful employment. This benefit is contingent upon clear and convincing evidence of the employee's active participation, supported by regular updates from a qualified vocational expert. The bill also ensures that benefits cannot be terminated without a Commission order following a hearing and outlines specific conditions under which benefits may be permanently ceased.

In addition to the vocational rehabilitation provisions, the bill modifies regulations surrounding attorney fees related to workers' compensation claims. It establishes that if an employer's written settlement offer for certain disabilities is rejected, attorney fees cannot exceed thirty percent of the difference between the awarded amount and the settlement offer. The bill also clarifies that attorney fees cannot be collected for noncontroverted claims or medical benefits and services, while setting a fixed fee of $200 for legal services related to contested changes of physician. Furthermore, it removes the previous cap on attorney fees for vocational rehabilitation services, allowing fees based on the total cost of these services, payable by the employer or insurer upon the employee's completion of rehabilitation. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.