Bill > H0197

This bill modifies Florida's employment verification requirements by expanding the use of the E-Verify system, which is an online federal database that allows employers to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires. Currently, only public agencies are required to use E-Verify, and private employers with 25 or more employees must use the system starting July 1, 2023. The bill changes this by removing the employee number threshold, which means all private employers in Florida will be required to use E-Verify to verify new employees' work eligibility beginning July 1, 2026. Additionally, employers will still need to certify their compliance with this requirement when submitting returns to the state's unemployment compensation or reemployment assistance system. The bill effectively broadens the scope of employment verification requirements to include private employers of all sizes, with a delayed implementation date to give businesses time to adapt to the new mandate.

Business and Industry

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/197