Labor; status verification system; hiring; penalties; effective date.

HB 1962 requires all Oklahoma employers registered to do business in the state to verify the work eligibility of new hires using a federal immigration verification system (such as E-Verify) starting November 1, 2025. It directly affects every business hiring new employees in Oklahoma, including small businesses and large employers. Employers must use a system meeting federal standards, and violations incur three warnings before fines of $100-$500 per offense. The law codifies this requirement in Oklahoma Statutes and aligns with federal programs like E-Verify.