House Bill No. 1527 Summary

• Creates a new North Dakota employment license requirement for all private employers, which is automatically granted and remains in effect if the employer complies with federal work authorization verification procedures.

• Requires all private employers to register and participate in the federal E-Verify program to verify work authorization of every new employee within three business days of hiring.

• Prohibits private employers from knowingly or intentionally employing unauthorized aliens; violations result in license suspension (10-30 days for first offense under E-Verify non-compliance, 10-30 days for first knowing employment of unauthorized alien) or revocation for subsequent violations.

• Establishes the labor commissioner as enforcement authority with power to investigate complaints and conduct random audits; commissioner must verify immigration status with federal government and notify immigration and customs enforcement and law enforcement agencies of suspected violations.

• Makes falsifying documents related to this chapter a Class C felony; exempts employers from wrongful termination liability when terminating employees for compliance; prohibits local ordinances from limiting enforcement.