FL S1542

Requires all private employers in Florida to use the E-Verify system to verify new employees' employment eligibility beginning July 1, 2026, eliminating the previous threshold of 25 or more employees

Expands the definition of "employee" to include individuals receiving Form 1099s from employers, workers performing occasional or irregular labor exceeding 40 person-hours, independent contractors, and those hired for casual labor in private residences

Establishes escalating penalties for employers who hire unauthorized aliens: up to $10,000 fine and 1-year license suspension for a first violation, up to $50,000 and 5-year suspension for a second violation, and up to $250,000 and permanent license revocation for a third violation

Imposes enhanced penalties when an unauthorized alien employee's actions result in injury to another person (up to $100,000 fine and 5-year license suspension) or death (up to $500,000 fine and permanent license revocation), with all fines deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund

Permanently bars contractors from receiving any future public contracts with any public agency in the state if their contract is terminated for knowingly employing unauthorized aliens, replacing the previous 1-year ban, and authorizes law enforcement to use E-Verify to investigate a detained person's immigration status