Verifying legal employment status of workers.

HB 5424 requires employers in West Virginia to verify the U.S. citizenship or legal work authorization of all employees through documentation, defining "unauthorized workers" as non-citizens ineligible for employment. The bill mandates that employers "knowingly" fail to request or review such documentation is considered non-compliant, with the labor commissioner authorized to investigate violations. It establishes "High Risk Industries" for targeted enforcement, preempts conflicting local ordinances, and provides civil protections for employers acting in good faith. The law applies broadly to all employers, including state agencies, and creates new legal mechanisms for compliance verification under the "Worker Citizenship Verification Act of 2026."