HB 2479 Summary

• Establishes the Oklahoma Employee Classification Act to address misclassification of employees as independent contractors in construction work.

• Presumes individuals performing construction services are employees unless they meet specific criteria including: freedom from control, work outside contractor's usual services, independently established trade, or legitimate sole proprietor/partnership status with 12 enumerated requirements.

• Requires Department of Labor to post summary of act requirements on website and bulletin boards; entities must post notices at job sites; grants Department authority to conduct investigations and issue cease-and-desist orders.

• Imposes civil penalties up to $1,500 for first violations and $2,500 for repeat violations within five years; violators appearing on public list are barred from state contracts for four years.

• Authorizes private right of action allowing aggrieved individuals to recover denied wages, liquidated damages, compensatory damages up to $500 per violation, and attorney fees; establishes three-year statute of limitations.