This bill amends several sections of Florida law related to immigration and employment verification. It revises the duties of the Office of Economic Accountability and Transparency within the Department of Commerce to include the administration and enforcement of the E-Verify system and employment authorization compliance. The bill increases penalties for employers who violate provisions regarding the employment of unauthorized aliens, including the suspension or revocation of licenses and the imposition of fines that must be deposited into the Florida Highway Patrol Safety Operating Trust Fund. Specifically, it establishes a tiered penalty system based on the number of violations and the severity of the consequences, including fines up to $500,000 for violations resulting in death.

Additionally, the bill mandates that all private employers, regardless of size, must use the E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of new hires, eliminating the previous threshold of 25 or more employees. It also prohibits public agencies from awarding future contracts to contractors who have violated employment eligibility laws. Law enforcement agencies are authorized to use the E-Verify system to investigate the immigration status of detained individuals. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 782 Filed: 20.60