House Bill 1279 amends various sections of Florida law to impose restrictions on services and assistance provided to noncitizens, particularly in the areas of homeownership and employment. The bill allows counties to require proof of lawful presence in the U.S. for borrowers seeking financial assistance and prohibits state and local entities, as well as private corporations, from offering down payment assistance to individuals who are not lawfully present. If such assistance is provided, the recipient must repay it immediately, with foreclosure proceedings initiated for non-repayment. Additionally, eligibility criteria for the Florida Homeownership Assistance Program and the Florida Hometown Hero Program are revised to include only those who are lawfully present in the U.S.

The bill also enforces stricter penalties for employers who violate employment laws regarding unauthorized aliens, including fines and license suspensions, with increased penalties for repeat offenses. Starting July 1, 2025, all private employers will be mandated to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires. The legislation allows for civil actions by individuals harmed due to violations and requires licensees involved in foreign remittance transfers to verify that senders are not unauthorized aliens, maintaining records for five years. Non-compliance incurs a 25% penalty on the amount transferred, and the Office of Financial Regulation is authorized to conduct audits and impose penalties for violations. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with provisions for emergency rule adoption to facilitate implementation.

Statutes affected:
H 1279 Filed: 420.5088, 448.095