2017 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 40. Labor
§40-89. Enforcement of chapter - Administrative penalties.

A. It shall be the duty of the Commissioner of Labor to enforce the provisions of Section 71 et seq. of Title 40 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

B. 1. In addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, any person who is in violation of Section 71 et seq. of Title 40 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall be liable for an administrative fine, to be assessed by the Commissioner of Labor, of not more than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for each offense. The maximum administrative fine shall not exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for all related violations. All administrative fines collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Department of Labor Revolving Fund, created pursuant to Section 141.19 of Title 40 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

2. In lieu of the penalty provided for in paragraph 1 of this subsection, the Commissioner or a representative of the Commissioner may issue a warning for a first offense to a person who is in violation of Section 71 et seq. of Title 40 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The warning shall cite the violation committed by the person and, where appropriate, state the time period in which the violation must be remedied.

C. After a violator is cited or fined for two unrelated offenses of failure to comply with the provisions of Section 71 et seq. of Title 40 of the Oklahoma Statutes, the Commissioner of Labor shall have the authority to issue cease and desist orders, in accordance with the rules of the Department of Labor, against the violator until such time as compliance with the provisions of Section 71 et seq. of Title 40 of the Oklahoma Statutes is met. Any order to cease and desist issued by the Commissioner may be enforced in district court. Upon application of the Commissioner, the district court may issue an injunction without bond for the purpose of enforcing this section.

D. The Commissioner of Labor shall assess and collect administrative fines incurred under subsection B of this section and, at the Commissioner's discretion, may remit, mitigate, or negotiate the fines. In determining the fine to be assessed, or the amount agreed upon in any negotiation, consideration shall be given to the appropriateness of the fine in light of the gravity of the violation and the extent to which the person charged has attempted to remedy the consequences of the violation. Individual proceedings shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of subsection E of this section.

E. For the purpose of determining if an administrative fine should be assessed, a hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, by a hearing officer designated by the Commissioner of Labor. A final order by the hearing officer may be appealed to the district court in the county in which the violation occurred pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act.

Added by Laws 1997, c. 391, § 10, eff. July 1, 1997.