New Bill Targets Missouri Contractors Who Employ Illegal Immigrants

A bill filed in the Missouri House would make it much easier for the state Attorney General to investigate and prosecute contractors who hire illegal immigrants in violation of Missouri's employment laws.

The bill is HB 2366.

It would hold general contractors and subcontractors liable if they knew or should have known that a direct subcontractor employed unauthorized aliens in violation of the law.

It strengthens the state's position against those business owners in multiple ways:

• The Attorney General's office would no longer have to wait for a complaint against a business owner; it could initiate an investigation based on suspicion.

• The AG's office would not have to go to the federal government to confirm a worker's legal/illegal status before proceeding with the investigation.

• The AG's office could seek injunctions and recover 2x wages paid to illegal employees

• The AG's office would only need "a preponderance of evidence" to get a judgment against a contractor (a lower bar than "beyond reasonable doubt")

• Consent judgments would allow cases to be settled quickly and quietly

Whereas previously business owners were essentially shielded from liability if their subcontractor signed a contract saying they were legal, the new bill would remove the paperwork-protection. If the AG's office can show the contractor knew or should have known they were employing illegal workers, they can be fined.

HB 2366 has been referred to the House Commerce Committee.

Additionally, this week, Rep. Vernetti received a new House committee assignment to the Professional Registration and Development Committee, where he will help shape policies related to professional licensing and workforce training across the state.