For Immediate Release
May 24, 2011
Back

Senate Approves E-Verify Legislation 

HARRISBURG – The Senate approved legislation today that would require contractors and subcontractors to verify legal employment status for all employees working on public building projects, according to Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-10). 

Senate Bill 637 would require contractors and subcontractors to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm that all employees are eligible to work in the U.S. Employers would be required to submit employment verification statements to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry prior to beginning work on any public contract.

"Requiring employers to verify legal employment status will help level the playing field for honest contractors and their employees," McIlhinney said. "It is unconscionable to allow illegal workers and their employers to benefit from taxpayer-funded building projects while so many hardworking Pennsylvanians are still struggling to find a job."

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reports that more than 238,000 employers are enrolled in the E-Verify system, and more than 16 million queries were run through the system in 2010.

Senate Bill 637 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

CONTACT: Heather Cevasco (215) 489-5000