Labor; e-verification; Department of Labor; requirements; penalties; codification; effective date.

HB 3725, the Oklahoma Workforce Protection Act, requires most Oklahoma employers to verify the immigration status of new hires using an electronic system like federal E-Verify. It applies to businesses with employees (excluding independent contractors, returning seasonal workers within 12 months of original verification, and non-employees) and mandates compliance within 90 days for large employers (50+ staff) or 180 days for smaller businesses after a state online portal is launched. Employers who fail to comply face fines of $100-$500 per violation, with higher penalties for repeated offenses, though fines are waived if systems are implemented within the grace periods. The Oklahoma Department of Labor must create an online portal for employer resources and publish annual reports on compliance rates and enforcement actions.