Employment of unauthorized individuals prohibited.

HF 259 prohibits Minnesota employers from knowingly hiring individuals without legal authorization to work in the U.S., as defined by federal immigration law (8 U.S.C. §1324a(h)(3)). It directly affects all Minnesota employers, including state agencies and businesses, by requiring verification of work authorization and imposing penalties for violations. Key mechanisms include mandatory termination of unauthorized employees, license suspensions for up to 14 business days, and fines ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per violation. Employers using the federal e-Verify system to confirm work authorization create a rebuttable presumption they did not knowingly hire unauthorized individuals.