SF691

SF No 691 is a legislative bill introduced in Minnesota that targets the employment of unauthorized individuals. It includes these key points:

1. Definitions: The bill defines crucial terms such as "employee,” "employer,” and "unauthorized individual," the latter referring to anyone without legal rights or authorization to work in the U.S.

2. Prohibition: Employers are strictly prohibited from knowingly hiring unauthorized individuals.

3. Investigations and Enforcement: The Commissioner of Labor and Industry is tasked with investigating suspected violations. If a violation is found, the employer must terminate all unauthorized workers and may face suspension of their business licenses for up to 14 days.

4. Penalties: Employers violating this rule could be fined between $1,000 and $10,000 per incident. Factors like prior misconduct, the duration of the violation, and the number of unauthorized individuals employed will influence the severity of penalties.

5. Employee Verification: Using the E-Verify program to check employees' work authorization will generally protect employers from being presumed to have knowingly hired unauthorized workers, unless proven otherwise.

This bill aims to enforce compliance with federal laws on employment authorization, holding employers accountable through potential license suspensions and fines if they employ unauthorized workers.