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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
SENATE BILL 398 By: Pugh
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to veterans’ employment and training;
directing the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs
to serve as principal assistance organization;
directing the establishment of certain workforce
training; directing certain education of available
opportunities; directi ng training matches; providing
for codification; 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 Statutes as Section 63.23 of Title 72, unless there
is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affa irs shall serve as
the state’s principal assistance organization under the United
States Department of Defense ’s SkillBridge program for employers and
transitioning servicemem bers.
B. As the state’s principal assistance organization under the
United States Department o f Defense’s SkillBridge program for
qualified businesses in this state and for transitioning
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servicemembers who reside in, or who wish to reside in, this state,
the Department shall:
1. Establish and maintain, as appli cable, its certification for
the SkillsBridge program or any other similar workforce tr aining and
transition programs established b y the United States Department of
Defense;
2. Educate businesses, business associations, and transitioning
servicemembers on the SkillBridge progr am and its benefits, and
educate military command and personnel within the state on
opportunities available to transitionin g servicemembers through the
SkillBridge program;
3. Assist businesses in obtaining approval for skilled
workforce training curricula under the SkillsB ridge program,
including, but not limited to, app renticeships, internships, or
fellowships; and
4. Match transitioning servicemembers who are deemed eligible
for SkillsBridge participation by their mili tary command with
training opportunities offered by the corporation or participating
businesses, with the intent of having transitioning servicemembers
achieve gainful employment in this state u pon completion of th eir
SkillsBridge training.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2023.
59-1-1622 BG 1/16/2023 11:37:16 AM