Requires all employers to enroll and actively participate in a federal work authorization program
The repercussions for non-compliance are significant, with tailored penalties for violations. The Attorney General is empowered to direct local governing bodies to suspend licenses and impose fines on employers who fail to verify employee eligibility. First-time offenders face a thirty-day license suspension and a fine of two thousand dollars for each unauthorized alien, while repeated offenses lead to longer suspensions and increased financial penalties. This structure is intended to ensure accountability, especially for entities engaged in state contracts.
Senate Bill 528 mandates that all employers in Missouri must enroll and actively participate in a federal work authorization program, aimed at preventing the employment of unauthorized aliens. The bill establishes strict requirements for any business entity or employer that contracts with the state or receives public funds, including the obligation to provide sworn affidavits confirming compliance with employment eligibility verification processes. Employers must submit these affidavits annually and provide documentation of participation in the federal program.
Overall, SB528 proposes a stringent approach to employment verification in Missouri, aiming to tighten the regulation around the hiring of unauthorized aliens. While its proponents see it as a means to enforce federal laws and protect state resources, ongoing discussions reveal rifts between those advocating for strict enforcement and those who call for consideration of the bill's implications for business operations and employee rights.
The bill has generated considerable debate. Proponents argue that SB528 is necessary for upholding labor laws and ensuring that public funds do not support the employment of unauthorized workers. However, opponents raise concerns over the potential impact on businesses' operational flexibility, suggesting that the requirements could create burdensome compliance processes, especially for small businesses. Additionally, critics argue that the bill may unfairly penalize employers inadvertently caught in the complexities of employee verification.