Oklahoma Senate Panel Advances Bill Targeting NDAs like those used in data center projects
Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City, has won approval from the Senate’s Retirement and Government Resources Committee for legislation focusing on nondisclosure agreements (NDA) between state employees and the agencies that employ them. Brooks said Senate Bill 1415 deals specifically with resignations and terminations and is aimed at increasing transparency in state government.
“This bill simply says nondisclosure agreements between state employees and the state agency or entity they work for will be void and unenforceable when an employee resigns or is fired,” Brooks said. “The problem we’ve encountered is when a state employee leaves service, perhaps being terminated, they were offered severance, but only if they signed an NDA. In the interest of transparent government, it doesn’t make sense that an individual would be prohibited from being able to talk about why they had to leave that job.”
Focus On Transparency In State Government
Supporters of the measure argue the legislation is designed to ensure greater openness about personnel decisions involving public employees. Brooks indicated the bill does not prevent agencies from offering severance agreements, but it would prohibit them from requiring confidentiality clauses tied to those departures.
He explained that the practice has raised concerns among lawmakers and the public who believe government actions should be subject to scrutiny, especially when taxpayer dollars are involved in settlements or severance packages. By eliminating NDAs in these situations, Brooks said the bill promotes accountability and gives employees the ability to discuss their departures openly.
Brooks emphasized that the intent is not to punish agencies, but to reinforce public trust and ensure decisions affecting state workers are handled in a transparent manner.
Exceptions For Professional Confidentiality
SB 1415 provides an exception in the case of any state employee who has a mandated professional privilege of confidentiality. For example, in the case of an attorney or doctor employed by the state, the legislation could not be used to force them to violate attorney-client or doctor-patient confidentiality requirements.
Lawmakers noted those protections are critical to maintaining ethical and legal obligations in certain professions while still addressing concerns about secrecy in other employment matters.
The measure also reflects a broader national conversation about the use of nondisclosure agreements in both public and private sectors, particularly when they are tied to workplace disputes or separations.
Next Steps For The Legislation
The bill received bipartisan backing in committee, signaling early support as it advances through the legislative process. Brooks said he hopes the full Senate will approve the measure and continue the push toward more open government practices.
“Sunshine is critical to open and fair government. That’s exactly what this bill is about,” Brooks said. “I appreciate the committee members who gave their bipartisan support to SB 1415 and hope the full Senate will join us in approving this measure to promote greater transparency in government.”
If ultimately enacted, SB 1415 would change how state agencies handle confidentiality provisions tied to resignations and terminations, potentially reshaping employment practices across Oklahoma’s state government while reinforcing calls for greater accountability and public transparency.