These new laws go into effect Nov. 1 in Oklahoma: What to know
When the Oklahoma Legislature approved pay raises and paid maternity leave for teachers this year, other state employees were not forgotten.
Under a law that takes effect Nov. 1, state employees can get up to six weeks of paid maternity leave.
Full-time employees who have served at least two years with the state would be eligible for maternity leave, and this would be in addition to any sick leave taken due to pregnancy.
The new law covers both births and adoptions.
More: Kasey Alerts for missing adults begin in Oklahoma, named after Cherokee man who vanished
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for new parents or those who are attending to a family member's health or personal health issues.
Only three other states — Georgia, New Hampshire and South Carolina — have offered paid parental leave for state employees, according to the conference.
What other laws will go into effect Nov. 1 in Oklahoma?
Private businesses will be able to set up electric vehicle charging stations more easily
A bill originating in the state Senate ensures that private businesses, like gas station owners, can install EV charging stations without having to compete with electric utilities. If a utility wants to set up a charging station, it cannot be subsidized with rates paid by other customers, like those with residential electric service.
Supporters of the new law said that in some states utilities have cornered the market on new installations and are able to give themselves a premium rate for electricity. Some also have used existing ratepayer revenue to fund their buildout of EV chargers. The new law, they say, will help ensure that drivers of electric vehicles have more options on where to recharge their batteries.
Pay raise for jury duty
Beginning Nov. 1, the amount Oklahomans will be paid for serving on a jury will be increased from $20 a day to $50. The boost is expected to cost the state about $1.9 million a year.
New requirements in order to become a municipal judge
The new law requires all current municipal judges to complete a certification program approved by the Oklahoma Municipal Judges Association by July 1, 2026. Municipal judges appointed after July 1, 2026, will have one year to complete the certification program.
In addition, the law prohibits appointing a person who is not a licensed attorney as amunicipal judge beginning July 1, 2026. Non-attorney judges who were appointed prior to July1, 2026, can continue to be reappointed if they complete the required certification program.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New laws in Oklahoma 2023: These go into effect Nov. 1
