The Florida Economic Prosperity and Immigration Act aims to improve the integration of immigrants and refugees into Florida's economy and society by establishing the Office for New Americans within the Department of Commerce. This office will develop strategies to promote immigrant inclusion, connect employers with immigrant job seekers, and provide resources on immigration policies. The bill modifies identification requirements for driver licenses, allowing additional foreign documents for proof of identity and restricting the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles from sharing certain information with immigration enforcement agencies. It also repeals laws that mandate cooperation with federal immigration authorities and prohibits discrimination based on immigration status in education and employment contexts.

Additionally, the bill introduces the Driver License Privacy Act, which limits the disclosure of personal information to immigration enforcement agencies and extends the validity of driver licenses based on specific identification documents from one year to eight years. It mandates that public agencies and certain private employers use the E-Verify system for employment verification and includes penalties for non-compliance. The bill amends the Florida Civil Rights Act to include immigration status as a protected category against discrimination, ensuring individuals are not discriminated against in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Furthermore, it prohibits immigration enforcement activities near schools and child care facilities, aiming to protect vulnerable populations, and modifies out-of-state fee waivers for students to allow undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition rates.

Statutes affected:
S 1668 Filed: 20.60, 322.08, 322.12, 322.142, 322.17, 322.19, 395.3027, 454.021, 760.01, 760.05, 760.07, 760.08, 760.24, 760.26, 760.60, 787.07, 908.102, 908.104, 908.11, 1002.31, 1003.21, 1009.40, 435.04, 480.041, 480.043, 775.30, 794.056, 921.0022, 938.085