summary
Introduced
02/25/2025
02/25/2025
In Committee
03/02/2025
03/02/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to immigration status and employment eligibility; amending s. 20.60, F.S.; revising the duties and responsibilities of the Office of Economic Accountability and Transparency within the Department of Commerce; amending s. 448.09, F.S.; revising penalties, including suspension and revocation of certain licenses and the imposition of fines, for violating provisions related to employing unauthorized aliens; requiring that such fines be deposited into a specified trust fund; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing increased penalties, including suspension and revocation of certain licenses and the imposition of fines, for violating provisions related to employing unauthorized aliens where specified injury or death occurs; requiring that such fines be deposited into a specified trust fund; amending s. 448.095, F.S.; revising the definition of the term "employee"; requiring that all private employers, rather than only those employing a specified number or more of employees, use the E- Verify system to verify a new employee's employment eligibility; prohibiting the awarding of future public contracts by any public agency in this state to specified contractors; requiring that certain fines be deposited into a specified trust fund; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 908.104, F.S.; authorizing law enforcement agencies to use the E-Verify system to investigate a detained person's immigration status; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Florida's immigration and employment laws by expanding and strengthening requirements related to employment eligibility verification and penalties for hiring unauthorized aliens. Specifically, the bill requires all private employers (previously only those with 25 or more employees) to use the E-Verify system to confirm new employees' work eligibility starting July 1, 2025. The bill introduces escalating penalties for employers who violate employment eligibility laws, including license suspensions and significant fines ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 depending on the severity and frequency of violations. Notably, if an unauthorized alien employee causes injury or death, employers face severe consequences, including potential 5-year license suspensions or permanent revocation and substantial financial penalties. The bill broadens the definition of "employee" to include occasional and incidental labor exceeding 40 person-hours and considers individuals receiving a 1099 tax form as employees. Additionally, the bill authorizes law enforcement agencies to use the E-Verify system to investigate a detained person's immigration status and mandates that all collected fines be deposited into the Florida Highway Patrol Safety Operating Trust Fund. These changes aim to increase accountability and discourage the employment of unauthorized workers in Florida.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration (on 05/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1033 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1033/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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