This bill aims to amend the Code of West Virginia to enhance the verification of legal employment status for workers and establish record-keeping requirements for employers. It introduces definitions for key terms such as "employment verification," which is defined as the electronic system known as E-Verify, and clarifies the roles of the labor commissioner in enforcing compliance. The bill mandates that all employers register for an E-Verify account and verify the legal status of new employees before employment. It also outlines the consequences for employers who fail to comply, including fines and potential suspension or revocation of business licenses for repeated violations.

Additionally, the bill prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances that would interfere with the labor commissioner's enforcement of these provisions. It provides civil protections for employers who terminate employees to comply with the law, ensuring they are not subject to wrongful termination claims. The commissioner is granted the authority to investigate complaints regarding violations and to access information from other state agencies to confirm a worker's legal status. Overall, the bill seeks to streamline the process of verifying employment eligibility while ensuring that employers adhere to both state and federal laws.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 21-1B-2, 21-1B-3, 21-1B-4, 21-1B-9, 21-1B-10, 21-1B-11, 21-1B-12, 21-1B-13