The proposed bill establishes the "E-Verify Compliance Act" in Rhode Island, which requires all non-governmental employers with three or more employees to apply to participate in the federal E-Verify program to verify the work eligibility of newly hired employees. Employers must 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 must apply by July 1, 2026; and those with fewer than 50 employees must apply by January 1, 2027.

Employers are required to submit an application to participate in the program no less frequently than every sixty days until accepted. Upon acceptance, employers must agree to participate in the program and retain records for audit purposes. They must notify the Department of Labor and Training of their compliance within seven business days of 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 mandates that employers 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 for actions taken under this section, but they remain subject to state anti-discrimination laws. The act is set to take effect upon passage.