Labor; creating the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act; requiring the use of E-Verify by employers. Effective date.

SB 655, the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, requires most Oklahoma employers to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm new hires' work authorization within three business days of hiring. Employers must maintain verification records for at least three years and cannot hire individuals whose status fails verification. Violations trigger penalties: $2,500 for first offenses involving one unauthorized worker, increasing to $5,000 for repeat violations, with potential suspension of state contracts for one year. The Oklahoma Attorney General enforces compliance through investigations and can issue fines, though employers may appeal penalties in court.