This bill, introduced by a group of senators, aims to revise employment law in Montana by mandating that employers with more than 50 employees utilize the E-Verify system to confirm the work authorization of all new hires. The bill outlines specific definitions, including those for "employee," "employer," and "unauthorized worker," and establishes that new employees' employment is provisional until their work authorization is verified. Employers are required to maintain records of this verification for the duration of employment or for three years, whichever is longer. Additionally, the bill prohibits local governments from enacting laws that contradict its provisions and provides an exception from wrongful termination claims for employers who terminate employees to comply with the new verification requirements.

The Attorney General is granted enforcement powers under this bill, including the ability to investigate complaints regarding violations of the employment verification requirements. Penalties for non-compliance include fines that escalate with repeated violations, and employers found in violation may be barred from participating in state contracts for a year. The bill also includes a "safe harbor" provision for employers who verify employment eligibility in good faith, ensuring they are presumed compliant with the law. The act is set to take effect for new employee hires on October 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 7-1-111
SB0329_1(1): 7-1-111
SB0329_1(2): 7-1-111
SB0329_1(3): 7-1-111
SB0329_1(4): 7-1-111
SB0329_1(5): 7-1-111
SB0329_1: 7-1-111
SB0329_2(1): 7-1-111
SB0329_2(10): 7-1-111
SB0329_2(11): 7-1-111
SB0329_2(12): 7-1-111
SB0329_2(2): 7-1-111
SB0329_2(3): 7-1-111
SB0329_2(4): 7-1-111
SB0329_2(5): 7-1-111
SB0329_2(6): 7-1-111
SB0329_2(7): 7-1-111
SB0329_2(8): 7-1-111
SB0329_2(9): 7-1-111
SB0329_2: 7-1-111
SB0329_3(1): 7-1-111
SB0329_3(2): 7-1-111
SB0329_3(3): 7-1-111
SB0329_3(4): 7-1-111
SB0329_3(5): 7-1-111
SB0329_3(6): 7-1-111
SB0329_3(7): 7-1-111
SB0329_3(8): 7-1-111
SB0329_3(9): 7-1-111
SB0329_3: 7-1-111