MS HB957

Requires all public officers, contractors, superintendents, and agents engaged in state or public works construction projects to use the E-Verify Program operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to verify employment eligibility of new employees.

Mandates that subcontractors provide verification forms to public bodies before beginning work, acknowledging compliance with E-Verify requirements and confirming employment eligibility information is accurate.

Prohibits discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, or national origin in use of the E-Verify Program and protects contractors acting in good faith from liability for incorrect information provided by the program.

Establishes penalties for violations including warning letters for first violations, 30-day public work bans for second violations, 180 days to one year bans for third and subsequent violations, and three-year bans for willful violations.

Amends existing law (Sections 31-5-17, 31-5-19, and 31-5-21) to require workers on public projects to be in the country legally and extends E-Verify requirements to out-of-state contractors; effective July 1, 2013.