Woodbridge, Va. –– A new bill sponsored by a Woodbridge lawmaker would force state agencies to verify that those contracted to work for them may legally do so in the U.S.
Del. Richard L. Anderson (R, Va.-51) has sponsored HB 1859, which would require any agency contracted to do $50,000 or more in work for the state submit their employees to an E-Verify check, which would determine their employment eligibility.
The bill remains in committee but is gaining traction among lawmakers.
“No one got up with fire in their nostrils when I made the pitch of the bill to a large room on Friday, so I believe that’s a good sign,” said Anderson. “Last year, we passed a law that required new state employees submit to an E-Verify check so this effort is just leading by example.”
The E-Verify system is an internet-based application operated by Office of Homeland Security, uses information reported on an employee’s I9 tax form to determine employment eligibility in the U.S.
Employers can use the system free of charge, according to the DHS website.
