SUMMARY of HB2712/S399 and HB2576
Kansas Business Work-Force Communities Partnership Act
This bill has been present in both the House and Senate; hearings on this have taken place this week (2-13-17). The essence of the bill:
- It establishes a program that works with the current policies and authorities of the US Dept. of Homeland Security
- Creates a program where the state of KS identifies and supports undocumented immigrants who pose no risk to the public; have been in KS for over 5 years, and agrees to work in industries that need workers. “Support” means the KS will send documentation to the federal government that bolsters the application of the undocumented to remain in KS.
This is NOT an amnesty, waiver, or path to citizenship..
Responsibilities of the immigrant/ employee :
- Submits to complete fingerprinting and biometric background checks [the immigrant will have to pay for this out of his/her own pocket
- Agrees to work with a participating employer upon gaining work authorization
- Agrees to work toward English proficiency
- May obtain a KS driver’s license. The license issued would be a “limited term” license. The term of the driver’s license would be the same as the term of work authorization. These types of licenses are issued today by the KS. Dept of Revenue.
- This bill provides that if a program participant’s employment is terminated for cause, the person will not be eligible for unemployment benefits. The program requires the participant to gain employment.
- If the participant’s employment is terminated because the employer has been disqualified from the program, the participant must seek employment as soon as practicable.
Responsibilities of the Employer:
- Payment for the registration fee to enroll in this program
- Compliance with federal fair labor standards act
- Completion of training and reporting requirements
- Provides benefits to the program participant like all other employees
And remember that immigration violations are “civil” matters, not criminal.
For the whole bill: MORE