Req. No. 504 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 58th Legislature (2021) SENATE BILL 983 By: Bullard AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to workers’ compensation; authorizing reduction in workers’ compensation insurance premiums for employer participation in certain apprenticeship programs; providing qualifications and requirements for reduction in premiums; requiring certain annual reports; requiring certain certific ation; authorizing promulgation of rules by Insurance Commissioner; providing for codificati on; and providing an effective date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statut es as Section 42.1 of Title 85A, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. For each policy of workers ’ compensation insurance issued or renewed in this state on or after November 1, 202 1, there may be granted by the insurer a reduction in the premium for the policy not to exceed five percent (5%) if the insured has been certified by the State Department of Education to the Workers’ Compensation Commission and Insurance Commission as a participant in the Req. No. 504 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Apprenticeships, Internships and Mentorships (AIM) Act of 2016 and has notified its insurer in writing of such certification. B. If granted, the premium discount provided by this section may be applied to an insured’s policy of workers’ compensation insurance at the discretion of the insured’s insurer pro rata as of the date the insured receives the certification and shall continue for as long as the insured maintains the certification; provided, however, that an insurer shall not be req uired to credit the actual amount of the premium discount to the account of the insure d until the final premium audit under the policy. Certification of an insured shall be required for each year in which a premium discoun t is granted. C. If it is determined that an insured misrepresented its qualifications for certification pursuant to Section 2 of this act, the workers’ compensation insurance policy of the insured may be subject to an additional premium for the purposes of reimbursement of a previously granted premium discount and to cancellat ion in accordance with the provisions of th e policy. D. At the discretion of the insured ’s insurer if granting a premium reduction, each insurer shall make an annual report , in accordance with rules promulgated by the Insurance Commissioner , to the Insurance Commissioner illustrating the total do llar amount of the premium discounts applied pursuant to this section. Req. No. 504 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 E. The Insurance Commissioner and the State Department of Education shall conduct a study to deter mine the impact of the premium discounts pro vided pursuant to this se ction in encouraging employers to provide apprenticeships, internships and mentorships for students. F. The Insurance Commissioner may promulgate rules necessary for the implementation and enfo rcement of this section. SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 42. 2 of Title 85A, unless there is created a duplicatio n in numbering, reads as follows: A. An employer that has be en certified as a participant in the Apprenticeships, Internships and Mentorships (AIM) Act of 2016 pursuant to this section may be eligible for a premium discount under the employer’s workers’ compensation insurance policy p ursuant to Section 1 of this act if the State Department of Education certifies to the Workers’ Compensation Commission and the Insurance Commissioner that the employer: 1. Has entered into a training ag reement with one or mo re AIM students and the student’s parent or guardian in accordance with AIM requirements; 2. Has developed, in accordance with AIM requirements, a detailed training plan for the AIM student that focuses on development of technical skills and emplo yability skills; Req. No. 504 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 3. Assigns a mentor to each AIM student and assists in monitoring the progress of the st udent; provided, a mentor may be assigned to more than one student; 4. Provides workers ’ compensation insurance coverage for each AIM student; 5. Complies with all federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding the employment of students; and 6. Complies with the rules of th e State Department of Education regarding AIM placement. B. A self-insured employer or an employer member of a group self-insurance association that provides AIM placements for one or more AIM students substantially in accor dance with this section may be certified by the Sta te Department of Education to Workers’ Compensation Commission and the Insurance Commission as an AIM employer in compliance with this act. SECTION 3. This act shall become effective Novem ber 1, 2021. 58-1-504 TEK 1/21/2021 8:14:37 PM