The proposed bill establishes the "E-Verify Compliance Act" in Rhode Island, which mandates that all non-governmental employers with three or more employees apply to participate in the federal E-Verify program to verify the work eligibility of newly hired employees. Employers are required to apply by specific deadlines based on their size: those with 200 or more employees must apply by January 1, 2026; those with at least 50 employees but fewer than 200 by July 1, 2026; and those with fewer than 50 employees by January 1, 2027.

Employers must submit an application to participate in the program no less frequently than every sixty days until accepted. Upon acceptance, employers are required to notify the Department of Labor and Training of their compliance within seven business days of both applying and being accepted into the program. The notification must include the E-Verify company identification number and be sworn under penalties of perjury.

The bill also stipulates that employers must immediately terminate the employment of any employee upon receiving a final notice from the Department of Homeland Security regarding nonconfirmation of work eligibility, following any applicable contest periods. Employers who rely in good faith on the E-Verify program for verification will be exempt from liability under this section, but this does not limit their obligations under state anti-discrimination laws.

The act is designed to ensure that Rhode Island employers adhere to federal employment laws. The bill will take effect upon passage.