313-47-2010Employer Verification Amendments2026 GENERAL SESSIONSTATE OF UTAHChief Sponsor: Tiara AuxierSenate Sponsor: Don L. IpsonLONG TITLEGeneral Description:This bill amends provisions relating to employer verification of employees.Highlighted Provisions:This bill:amends provisions related to the Private Employer Verification Act, impacting a private employer who employs 50 or more employees;cites criminal penalties that may be applicable to the use of fraudulent identification documentation or another person's identification documentation for purposes of obtaining employment; and makes technical and conforming changes.Money Appropriated in this Bill:NoneOther Special Clauses:NoneUtah Code Sections Affected:AMENDS:13-47-201, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 338Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:

Section 1. Section 13-47-201 is amended to read:13-47-201. Verification required for new hires.(1)A private employer who employs 15050 or more employees on or after May 4, 2022July 1, 2027, may not hire a new employee on or after May 4, 2022July 1, 2027, unless the private employer:(a)is registered with a status verification system to verify the federal legal working status of any new employee; and(b)uses the status verification system to verify the federal legal working status of the new employee in accordance with the requirements of the status verification system.(2)This section does not apply to a private employer of a foreign national if the foreign national holds a visa issued in response to a petition by the private employer that is classified as H-2A or H-2B.(3)A person who uses fraudulent identification documentation, or the identification documentation of another person, for the purpose of obtaining employment is subject to criminal prosecution, including, as applicable, under:(a)Title 76, Chapter 6, Part 5, Fraud; or(b)Title 76, Chapter 6, Part 11, Identity Fraud Act.

Section 2. Effective Date.This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026.

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