The bill HB302 Engrossed amends Section 25-11-5 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance employer reporting requirements for new hires by mandating the inclusion of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) number alongside the Social Security number. It introduces the Alabama Foreign Worker Transparency Act, which requires labor brokers hiring foreign workers to register with the Department of Workforce and imposes reporting obligations on these brokers and charitable organizations. The bill also allows public benefit departments to require financial sponsor disclosures for lawful aliens and establishes penalties for non-compliance, including civil and criminal repercussions. Additionally, it specifies that employers may lose public incentives for hiring unauthorized aliens, tightening regulations on foreign worker employment.

The bill further establishes the Foreign Worker Resource Fund, financed by registration fees and penalties, and mandates the use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program for verifying the lawful presence of aliens applying for public benefits. It outlines the responsibilities of sponsors for authorized aliens, including financial liability for reimbursing public benefits received. The bill amends Section 31-13-9 to impose stricter conditions on business entities receiving state contracts, requiring them to not knowingly employ unauthorized aliens and to enroll in the E-Verify program. It introduces penalties for violations, including business license suspensions and the forfeiture of claimed incentives upon repeated violations. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 25-11-5
Engrossed: 25-11-5