February 27, 2025
Democratic Leader, Senator Jason Pizzo from Florida, recently introduced Senate Bill 782 (SB 782). SB 782 mandates that all companies in Florida use E-Verify, regardless of the company’s size.
E-Verify is a web-based system by the federal government that helps employers confirm their employees’ eligibility to work in the United States. SB 782 would address what Pizzo described as an immigration crisis in Florida. Despite the Republicans having taken steps like declaring a state of emergency, Pizzo asserted that these measures would not solve the issue.
Pizzo insisted that millions of spent taxpayer dollars did not address the root causes of illegal immigration. Thus, he introduced SB 782. Pizzo claimed that job access incentivizes immigrants to come to the United States. As such, E-Verify would limit how many undocumented immigrants obtain jobs.
E-Verify is an online system that compares an employee’s Form I-9 against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s and Social Security Administration’s records. Based on the federal government’s records, the system confirms or denies the employee’s work eligibility. Under a law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2023, Florida’s private employers with 25 or more employees must use E-Verify. However, SB 782 would expand this requirement to all employers, including private entities, public agencies, and contractors and subcontractors for public agencies.
SB 782 proposed steep penalties for non-compliance. Employers who do not use E-Verify could face the suspension or revocation of their licenses for up to a year and fines up to $10,000. However, repeat offenders would face escalating penalties.
For example, a second violation could carry a fine of up to $50,000, and a third could reach as high as $100,000 with a permanent license revocation. SB 782 also proposed consequences, such as when an illegal immigrant causes a fatal incident at work. This example could lead to a fine of up to $500,000.
Pizzo has long criticized Florida’s Republican stance on illegal immigration and proposed this measure in past sessions. Governor DeSantis recently signed several immigration-restricting measures after a recent special session, which contributed to the ongoing furor surrounding Florida’s immigration laws. If SB 782 passes, it would go into effect on July 1.
Rapidly changing employment laws have proven challenging for employers to track, often making new screening and legal requirements burdensome. Employers in Florida or other states needing hiring assistance should consider partnering with a background screening agency. The right partner can ensure compliance with all related laws, accurate screenings, and provide timely consumer reports.
JDP makes background checks easy and reliable. Speak with a sales representative today.