In 1986 the Oklahoma Legislature enacted a law giving the Commissioner of Labor the authority to enforce the mandatory workers' compensation law in Oklahoma. In addition to enforcement authority, the Commissioner was also authorized to levy civil penalty fines of up to $10,000, and to file criminal charges with the District Attorney in cases of willful violation.

Since the inception of the program, more than $3.1 million has been collected in civil penalties. Additionally, 46,500 people who were not previously protected are now covered by workers' compensation insurance.