The growing patchwork of E-Verify laws continues, with Florida becoming the first state to mandate E-Verify participation in 2011. As one of his first official acts as the newly elected Governor of Florida, Rick Scott signed Executive Order 11-02 requiring state agencies to use the E-verify system to check whether all current and prospective agency employees are  authorized to work in the United States. Furthermore, the Executive Order requires all employers who are state contractors to use E-Verify to check the work eligibility of anyone employed in Florida during the contract term, and anyone (including subcontractors) hired to perform work pursuant to the contract. Below is the excerpt from the Press Release issued by the Governor’s Office:

Executive Order No. 11-02 requires state agencies to use the E-Verify system verify employment eligibility of state employees and contractors.

• All state agencies under the direction of the Governor must use E-Verify system to check employment eligibility of their current and prospective employees.
• Requires state agencies under the direction of the Governor to include in all state contracts a requirement that contractors utilize the E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of:
all persons employed during the contract term by the contractor to perform employment duties within Florida; and, all persons (including subcontractors) assigned by the contractor to perform work pursuant to the contract with the state agency.

The Florida State Legislature, which convenes next week, is expected to consider an immigration enforcement bill being drafted by Sen. Mike Bennett and Rep. Bill Snyder that could potentially require all employers in the state to use E-Verify. Stay tuned!