Wiggam, Swearingen Introduce Legislation to Require Employer Use of E-Verify Program

COLUMBUS – State Reps. Scott Wiggam (R-Wayne County) and D.J. Swearingen (R-Huron) recently introduced legislation that will require employers to use the E-Verify program, a free internet-based program to help employers verify work authorization of new hires.

The E-Verify program confirms a potential employee’s employment eligibility with federal records, streamlining verification of new employees’ work permits, visas, and citizenship within 3-5 seconds.

“Once implemented, the E-verify program will help protect Ohio’s workforce against job loss and lower wages by making it harder for human traffickers to exploit illegal workers in Ohio,” said Wiggam. “Illegal labor trafficking hurts Ohio’s workers.”

“This bill will streamline and ease the hiring process for our employers, while simultaneously empowering the Ohio worker,” said Swearingen. “This legislation is critical as we continue to address Ohio’s workforce needs.”

The bill aims to achieve the following: 

• Require all contractors and sub-contractors on public works construction projects to use E-Verify for its project workforce;
• Requires contractors and sub-contractors on all other construction projects to use E-Verify for their project workforce, apart from single, double or triple family residential construction or construction for agricultural purposes; and
• Require employers of seventy-five or more employees to use E-Verify.

The legislation awaits a bill number and House committee assignment.