House Bill 497 Summary

• Prohibits employers from knowingly employing unauthorized aliens and requires verification of employment authorization through federal channels per 8 U.S.C. section 1373(c).

• Establishes penalties for violations: first violation requires termination of unauthorized employees and filing a legal employment affidavit within 3 business days or face license suspension; second violation allows license suspension for up to 10 business days; third violation results in license revocation for up to 1 year.

• Creates misdemeanor offenses for falsely personating another to obtain employment, knowingly filing false or frivolous complaints, and destroying, altering, or falsifying public documents to help unauthorized aliens obtain employment.

• Provides affirmative defense for employers who comply in good faith with federal employment verification requirements and absolute defense for employers who verify employment through E-Verify system.

• Requires State Tax Commission to notify all employers by July 1, 2010 of the new law's requirements and penalties, with provisions effective October 1, 2010 for violations.