The Florida Economic Prosperity and Immigration Act aims to enhance the inclusion of immigrants and refugees in Florida's economy by establishing the Office for New Americans within the Department of Commerce. This office will facilitate connections between employers and immigrant job seekers and serve as an information hub on immigration policies. The bill modifies driver license requirements, allowing a broader range of identification documents, including those from foreign governments, while deleting previous mandates for specific documents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It also prohibits discrimination based on immigration status in education and employment, repeals certain immigration enforcement laws, and requires law enforcement to avoid cooperation with federal immigration activities near schools and childcare facilities.

Additionally, the bill amends various statutes to strengthen protections against discrimination based on immigration status in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It mandates the use of the E-Verify system for employee work authorization verification and introduces compliance measures for employers. The legislation expands the definition of unlawful employment practices to include discrimination based on immigration status and establishes new provisions to protect individuals from discrimination in driver licensing. Furthermore, it creates a State Board of Immigration Enforcement and a State Immigration Enforcement Council, while also implementing the "VISIBLE Act," which requires immigration officers to wear visible identification during enforcement actions. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and includes various provisions aimed at improving access to education and financial aid for students regardless of their immigration status.

Statutes affected:
S 328 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, 775.0848, 787.07, 908.102, 908.104, 908.11, 943.1718, 1002.31, 1003.21, 1009.40, 435.04, 480.041, 480.043, 501.9741, 775.30, 794.056, 921.0022, 938.085