SB 730 institutes significant reforms to Oklahoma's workers compensation system by reducing costs to employers and improving benefits to workers. The reforms may save Oklahoma businesses up to $51 million annually, according to actuarial reports commissioned by the State Insurance Fund. Key components include:

• placing the burden of proof on the party request ing benefits;
  
  
• defining occupational disease as arising from a direct causal connection with conditions of work;
  
  
• encouraging mediation of disputes;
  
  
• limiting payments for temporary total disability to 156 weeks;
  
  
• improving death benefits for children and surviving spouse;
  
  
• increasing weekly income benefits to 100% of average weekly wage; and
  
  
• directing the Physician Advisory Committee to develop recommendations for evaluating sprain or strain injuries.