Today, students and community members will be attending the capitol in Indiana to testity and oppose Senate Bill 335. Senate Bill 335 would pretty much be like HR 4437. Remember that proposed bill that drew hundreds of thousands of us to march on the streets in 2006? Yes, that one which would essentially make it illegal to know an "illegal."
This is the latest update on the bill:
DIGEST OF SB335 (Updated January 29, 2008 9:54 pm - DI 84)
Illegal alien matters. Requires the superintendent of the state police department (superintendent) to: (1) negotiate terms of a memorandum of understanding (memorandum) concerning a pilot project for the enforcement of federal immigration and customs laws; and (2) designate appropriate law enforcement officers to be trained under the memorandum. Requires: (1) the superintendent and governor, unless otherwise required by the applicable federal agency, to sign the memorandum on behalf of the state; and (2) the state police department to apply for federal funding, as available, for the costs associated with the training. Provides that a law enforcement officer certified as trained may enforce the federal immigration and customs laws. Prohibits an employer from knowingly hiring, after September 30, 2009, an unauthorized alien. Exempts certain utilities, hospitals, nonprofit organizations, and certain emergency medical transporters from this provision. Subject to availability of funds, authorizes the attorney general to: (1) investigate a complaint that an employer knowingly employed an unauthorized alien; (2) verify the work authorization of the alleged unauthorized alien with the federal government; (3) notify United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, local law enforcement agencies, and the appropriate prosecuting attorney under certain conditions; and (4) maintain certain records of violation orders. Authorizes a prosecuting attorney to file a civil action against an employer for knowingly hiring an unauthorized alien in the county where the alien is employed. Authorizes a court to: (1) hold a hearing on an expedited basis; (2) if an employer knowingly employs an unauthorized alien, order the employer to terminate the employment of unauthorized aliens, order the employer to file a sworn affidavit, and place the employer on probation for three years; and (3) order agencies to suspend all licenses held by the employer for the operation of the business location until the affidavit is filed, if the employer fails to file a sworn affidavit. Provides that a court may: (1) suspend the licenses of an employer for a second violation not later than 10 years after the date of the initial violation; and (2) revoke all licenses of the employer for a third violation not later than 10 years after the initial violation. Provides that a trier of fact may consider only the federal government's verification or status information in determining whether an individual is an unauthorized alien. Prohibits a prosecuting attorney from filing an action against an employer that verifies the employment authorization of an employed individual through the pilot program. Establishes an affirmative defense if the employer complied in good faith with the federal employment verification requirements. Makes it a Class B misdemeanor to file complaint, knowing the complaint if false or frivolous, with the attorney general or a prosecuting attorney. Provides that the suspension or revocation of a license does not relieve an employer from an obligation to withhold, collect, or pay income tax on wages. Prohibits a governmental body from enacting an ordinance, resolution, rule, or policy that prohibits or limits another governmental body from sending, receiving, maintaining, or exchanging information on the citizenship or immigration status of an individual. Allows a person to bring an action to compel a governmental body to comply with the prohibition. Prohibits a state agency or political subdivision from entering into or renewing a public contract for services with a contractor if the state agency or political subdivision knows that the contractor employs or contracts with unauthorized aliens. Provides that: (1) a state agency or political subdivision may terminate a public contract for services if the contractor providing the services employs or contracts with unauthorized aliens unless the state or political subdivision determines that terminating the contract would be detrimental to the public interest or public property; and (2) if a public contract
for services is terminated, a contractor is liable for actual damages. Allows a contractor of a public contract for services to terminate a contract with a subcontractor if the subcontractor employs or contracts with unauthorized aliens. Makes it a: (1) Class A misdemeanor to transport or move; and (2) Class A misdemeanor to conceal, harbor, or shield from detection; an alien, for purposes of commercial advantage or private financial gain, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that the alien has come to, entered, or remained in the United States in violation of law. Exempts from these criminal provisions, certain religious, health care, and legal services providers, and spouses from the criminal provisions. Makes these offenses a Class D felony (Class C felony for subsequent offenses): (1) for a subsequent offense; or (2) if the offense involves more than five aliens. Requires the department of workforce development to verify the lawful presence of certain individuals to determine the individual's eligibility for unemployment benefits through the SAVE program.
Current Status:
Cosponsors: Reps. Turner, Burton, Noe and Koch
For more information on the bill, click on the title of this post
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