Texas House Bill HB3792

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to a prohibition against the knowing employment of persons not lawfully present in the United States and the suspension of licenses held by certain employers for the knowing employment of those persons; authorizing a fee.

Impact

The legislation has broad implications for state labor laws. If enacted, it would subject employers who knowingly hire undocumented individuals to immediate suspension of their business licenses for violations. This punitive measure is intended to deter illegal hiring practices and emphasize compliance with federal immigration laws. The consequential effect on employers may lead to a more cautious approach towards hiring, resulting in potential compliance challenges or operational disruptions, particularly in industries that rely heavily on manual labor and may traditionally employ workers from vulnerable backgrounds.

Summary

House Bill 3792 aims to enforce stricter prohibitions on the employment of individuals not lawfully present in the United States. The bill introduces a set of comprehensive regulations under the Texas Labor Code that specifically addresses the employment eligibility verification process for employers. Notably, the bill mandates that employers must take due diligence to verify an employee's legal status prior to employment, utilizing lawful resident verification information as outlined by federal guidelines. Additionally, it enhances measures to prevent employers from masking illegal employment practices through misclassification of workers as independent contractors.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding HB 3792. Supporters argue that the bill is a necessary step toward enforcing immigration laws and protecting domestic labor markets from unfair practices associated with undocumented employment. Conversely, critics raise concerns about the ramifications for workers and employers, suggesting that the potential for license suspension could disproportionately impact small businesses. Additionally, the reliance on the E-verify program as a verification tool has faced scrutiny, given its reported inaccuracies and the potential for unjust termination of workers who may be eligible but are incorrectly flagged.