The Florida Legislature has passed a bill that, if enacted, will require private employers with 25 or more employees to use the federal E-Verify system to verify the employment eligibility of newly hired employees beginning July 1, 2023. The bill, SB 1718, is expected to be signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis.
E-Verify is an Internet-based system operated by the United States Department of Homeland Security. It allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of new hires. Under the pending bill, the mandatory E-Verify requirement would apply to employees hired on or after July 1, 2023. It will not apply to employees hired prior to that date, nor will it cover independent contractors.
