HB 1736 -- Missouri Illegal Immigration Relief Act

Sponsor:  Schneider

This bill establishes the Missouri Illegal Immigration Relief Act
to assist the federal government in enforcing federal immigration
laws.

PUBLIC BENEFITS

Agencies and political subdivisions of the state are prohibited
from providing any state or local benefit or federal public
benefit to a person who is unlawfully present in the United
States, except for certain state or local benefits or federal
public benefits exempted under federal law and kindergarten
through twelfth grade education.  An applicant 18 years of age
and older must sign an affidavit attesting that he or she is a
United States citizen or a qualified alien.  Eligibility must
then be verified through the federal Systematic Alien
Verification for Entitlements Program.  Temporary public benefits
may be provided until verification is complete or for a period
not to exceed 60 days.  Applicants denied public benefits will
have access to all administrative reviews and appeals to a court
allowed by law.

FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATIONS

By January 1, 2009, every employer in the state must register
with and utilize the federal E-Verify Program operated by the
United States Department of Homeland Security to verify the
federal employment authorization of all new employees.  All
documentation received on the authorization must be retained for
three years after the termination of the employee.  The penalty
for employers who do not use E-Verify will be suspension of all
business licenses for 30 to 60 days for a first offense,
suspension for one to two years for a second offense, and
suspension for five to 10 years for a third offense.  Public
employers cannot enter into contracts with contractors that do
not use E-Verify.

COMMUNICATION WITH FEDERAL OFFICIALS

No government entity or official or political subdivision can
prohibit or restrict any other government entity or official from
communicating or cooperating with federal officials on the
immigration status of any person in this state.  No person or
agency can prohibit or restrict any public employee from
communicating or cooperating with local, state, or federal
officials on the immigration status of any person in this state.
The Attorney General must report to the General Assembly on all
government entities, agencies, and political subdivisions that
have written or unwritten policies regarding prohibitions or
restrictions on communicating with federal officials regarding
immigration issues.  Any entity, agency, or political subdivision
with this type of policy cannot receive state funding for the
next fiscal year.

LOCAL ORDINANCES

All political subdivisions of the state are authorized to enact
laws prohibiting or restricting employment of unauthorized aliens
and the harboring of illegal aliens, including the leasing of
rental accommodations.  Penalties that political subdivisions can
impose include business license revocation and fines of up to
$10,000 per violation.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated October 15, 2008 at 3:11 pm