A. Action for relief. 1. A person who receives from the Commissioner of Labor a notification pursuant to subsection E of Section 16 of this act of an unsuccessful effort to resolve a complaint relating to a state government employer may request that the Commissioner refer the complaint to the district attorney with relevant jurisdiction. The Commissioner shall refer the complaint to the district attorney with relevant jurisdiction not later than sixty (60) days after receiving the request. If the district attorney is reasonably satisfied that the complainant is entitled to the rights or benefits sought, the district attorney may appear on behalf of, and act as attorney for, the complainant and commence an action for relief under the Oklahoma Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
2. Not later than sixty (60) days after the date the district attorney receives a referral as provided in paragraph 1 of this subsection, the district attorney shall:
3. A person may commence an action for relief based on a complaint against a state government employer or a private employer if the person:
B. Jurisdiction. In an action against a state government employer or a private employer commenced by the district attorney, the district courts shall have jurisdiction over the action.
C. Venue. 1. In an action by a district attorney against a state government employer, the action may proceed in the district court of the county where the complainant resides or was previously assigned for duty as a state employee immediately prior to service in the state military forces.
2. In an action by a district attorney against a private employer, the action may proceed in the district court of the county where the private employer of the complainant maintains a place of business.
D. Remedies. 1. In any action pursuant to this section, the court may award any or all of the following types of relief by requiring the employer to:
2.a.Any compensation awarded pursuant to this subsection shall be in addition to, and shall not diminish, any of the other rights and benefits provided for under the Oklahoma Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
3. The State of Oklahoma shall be subject to the same remedies, including prejudgment interest, as may be imposed upon any private employer under this section.
E. Equity powers. The court shall use, if it deems appropriate, its full equity powers, including temporary or permanent injunctions, temporary restraining orders, and contempt orders, to vindicate fully the rights or benefits of persons under the Oklahoma Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
F. Standing. An action pursuant to the Oklahoma Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act may be initiated only by a person claiming rights or benefits as provided in the act under subsection A of this section or by the State of Oklahoma under paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection A of this section.
G. Respondent. In any action pursuant to the Oklahoma Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, only an employer or a potential employer shall be a necessary party respondent.
H. Fees and court costs. 1. No fees or court costs shall be charged against or imposed upon any person claiming rights under the Oklahoma Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.
2. In any action or proceeding to enforce a provision of the Oklahoma Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act by a complainant who obtained private counsel for an action or proceeding, the court may award a prevailing complainant reasonable attorney fees, expert witness fees, and other litigation expenses.
I. Definition. As used in this section, "private employer" includes the political subdivisions of the State of Oklahoma as defined in Section 5 of this act.
Added by Laws 2021, c. 122, § 17, emerg. eff. April 21, 2021.