Missouri E-Verify Mandate for Public Contractors

RSMo 285.530 prohibits any business entity or employer from knowingly employing, hiring, or continuing to employ an unauthorized alien in Missouri. Employers receiving state contracts, grants, or tax incentives must enroll in and use the federal E-Verify program for newly hired employees and provide affidavits and documentation of enrollment to participating agencies. Failure to enroll or comply can lead to suspension or revocation of business licenses, debarment from public contracting for up to three years, and loss of state economic development benefits. The statute creates an affirmative defense for employers who relied in good faith on E-Verify results. Combined with RSMo 67.307, the law establishes Missouri's coordinated approach to verifying work authorization across both public and contracted private workforces and preempts conflicting local rules that would weaken these requirements.

Employers knowingly hiring unauthorized workers face license suspension on a first offense and possible permanent revocation for repeat violations. Public contractors failing to enroll in E-Verify may be debarred from state contracts for up to three years under RSMo 285.530.