This bill amends section 448.095 of the Florida Statutes to expand the requirement for using the E-Verify system to all private employers, regardless of the number of employees they have. Previously, only private employers with 25 or more employees were mandated to use E-Verify to verify the employment eligibility of new hires. The new requirement will take effect on July 1, 2026, and aims to ensure that all private employers participate in verifying the employment eligibility of their new employees.

Additionally, the bill modifies the certification process for employers using the E-Verify system. It removes the previous language that allowed voluntary users of E-Verify to certify their compliance on their first return each calendar year. Instead, all employers required to use E-Verify must certify their compliance when making contributions to the state's unemployment compensation or reemployment assistance system. This change is intended to streamline the verification process and enhance compliance among employers.

Statutes affected:
S 1278 Filed: 448.095