Establishes the E-Verify compliance program which would require all non-governmental employers within the state with 3 or more employees to apply to participate in the federal E-Verify program and to agree to participate in the program, if accepted.
If enacted, S2649 will amend Title 28 of the General Laws, introducing new compliance requirements for employers in Rhode Island. This law will require all employers to apply to E-Verify within specified deadlines based on the size of their workforce, with larger employers needing to comply sooner. The bill suggests a structure for compliance and places a responsibility on employers to maintain records to demonstrate their participation, contributing to broader efforts to enforce lawful hiring practices in the state and protect authorized workers.
S2649, known as the E-Verify Compliance Act, mandates that all non-governmental employers in Rhode Island with three or more employees participate in the federal E-Verify program to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees. The bill aims to ensure a consistent approach to employment verification across the state, thereby reducing illegal hiring practices and the associated economic disadvantages for compliant employers. It represents a proactive step by the General Assembly to bolster workforce integrity and compliance with federal immigration laws.
The bill may face scrutiny and opposition from various stakeholders, particularly those advocating for labor rights and immigrant protections. Critics may argue that mandatory participation in E-Verify could lead to discrimination against potential employees due to perceived immigration status, placing an undue burden on employers, especially small businesses. The legislation aims to balance the need for immigration compliance with workforce rights, which could foster significant debate on its implications for local hiring practices and civil rights.