2023 Tennessee Code › Title 50 - EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE (§§ 50-1-101 — 50-11-106) › Chapter 1 - EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP AND PRACTICES (§§ 50-1-101 — 50-1-1004) › Part 7 - TENNESSEE LAWFUL EMPLOYMENT ACT (§§ 50-1-701 — 50-1-715) › Section 50-1-703 - Duties of employers - Office of employment verification assistance - Application - Complaints for violations - Commissioner's order on finding of violation - Penalties

(a)
(1)
Employers shall:
(A)
For nonemployees, request and maintain a copy, pursuant to subdivision (a)(4), of any one (1) of the following documents prior to the nonemployee providing labor or services:
(i)
A valid Tennessee driver license or photo identification license issued by the department of safety;
(ii)
A valid driver license or photo identification license issued by another state where the issuance requirements are at least as strict as those in this state, as determined by the department. The commissioner, in consultation with the department of safety, shall determine which states have issuance requirements that are at least as strict as this state, and shall develop, and periodically update, a publicly accessible list of such states on the department's website;
(iii)
An official birth certificate issued by a United States state, jurisdiction or territory;
(iv)
A United States government-issued certified birth certificate;
(v)
A valid, unexpired United States passport;
(vi)
A United States certificate of birth abroad (DS-1350 or FS-545);
(vii)
A report of birth abroad of a citizen of the United States (FS-240);
(viii)
A certificate of citizenship (N560 or N561);
(ix)
A certificate of naturalization (N550, N570 or N578);
(x)
A United States citizen identification card (I-197 or I-179); or
(xi)
Valid alien registration documentation or other proof of current immigration registration recognized by the United States department of homeland security that contains the individual's complete legal name and current alien admission number or alien file number (or numbers if the individual has more than one (1) number); and
(B)
For employees, either:
(i)
Request and maintain a copy, pursuant to subdivision (a)(4), of any one (1) of the documents described in (a)(1)(A)(i)-(xi) prior to the employee providing labor or services; or
(ii)
(a)
Enroll in the E-Verify program prior to hiring an employee;
(b)
Verify the work authorization status of the employee hired by using the E-Verify program; and
(c)
Maintain an E-Verify case result for each employee that shows that the employee is authorized to work, whether on the E-Verify Quick Audit Report, the E-Verify User Audit Report, or the individual employee E-Verify case verification result. The E-Verify case result must be visible showing the work authorization status.
(2)
(A)
An employer who verifies the work authorization status of an employee pursuant to subdivision (a)(1)(B)(ii) has not violated §
50-1-103(b)
with respect to the particular employee if the employer meets the requirements in §
50-1-103(d)
.
(B)
No employer shall prevail in any proceeding where a violation of §
50-1-103
is alleged if the sole evidence presented by the employer is evidence of compliance with subdivision (a)(1)(A) or (a)(1)(B)(i).
(3)
No employer shall be in violation of subdivision (a)(1)(B) or subsection (b) if the employer has requested, but has not received, assistance pursuant to subdivision (a)(6).
(4)
An employer shall maintain:
(A)
A record of results generated by the E-Verify program pursuant to (a)(1)(B)(ii) with respect to an employee for three (3) years after the date of the employee's hire or for one (1) year after the employee's employment is terminated, whichever is later; and
(B)
Documentation received pursuant to subdivisions (a)(1)(A) and (a)(1)(B)(i) for three (3) years after the documentation is received by the employer or for one (1) year after the employee or nonemployee ceases to provide labor or services for the employer, whichever is later.
(5)
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent an employer from contracting with or otherwise obtaining the services of an E-Verify employer agent, or similar third party, for the purpose of complying with subdivision (a)(1)(B)(ii).
(6)
(A)
There is created within the department the office of employment verification assistance. The department is authorized to enter into a memorandum of understanding or other agreement required by the E-Verify program to operate this office.
(B)
If an employer does not have internet access or if an employer has less than thirty-five (35) full-time equivalent employees, then the office shall, at no charge to the employer, enroll the employer in the E-Verify program or conduct work authorization status checks of the employer's employees by using the E-Verify program as long as the employer signs a prescribed form, under penalty of perjury, attesting to the employer's qualification for assistance pursuant to this subdivision (a)(6)(B) and completes paperwork required by the E-Verify program to permit the office to provide the assistance.
(7)
Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c), the department shall conduct an investigation concerning an employer's compliance with subdivision (a)(1) or subsection (b) in conjunction with any pending inquiry, investigation, or inspection of the employer by the department, or any successor agencies thereto. If the commissioner determines that the investigation report contains evidence of a violation of subdivision (a)(1) or subsection (b), then the commissioner shall issue a notice and initial order pursuant to subdivision (d)(1).
(b)
Notwithstanding subdivision (a)(1)(B), private employers with thirty-five (35) or more full-time equivalent employees, on or after January 1, 2023, shall comply with the requirements in subdivision (a)(1)(B)(ii); provided, that those employers are only required to use the E-Verify program to verify the work authorization status of employees hired on or after January 1, 2023.
(c)
(1)
Any lawful resident of this state or employee of a federal agency may file a complaint alleging a violation of subdivision (a)(1) or subsection (b) to the department. The complaint shall, at a minimum, include the name of the individual filing the complaint, and satisfactory evidence of a violation as determined by the commissioner.
(2)
On receipt of a complaint, the commissioner shall determine if the complaint contains satisfactory evidence of a violation of subdivision (a)(1) or subsection (b); provided, that the commissioner shall inform the individual filing the complaint the basis for such determination. The commissioner shall not investigate complaints that are based solely on race, color or national origin.
(3)
If the commissioner determines that the investigation report contains evidence of a violation of subdivision (a)(1) or subsection (b), then the commissioner shall issue a notice and initial order pursuant to subdivision (d)(1). Upon request by the employer, the department shall provide the employer with the name of the individual filing a complaint if a complaint is filed.
(d)
(1)
If the commissioner determines that an employer has violated subdivision (a)(1) or subsection (b), pursuant to subdivision (a)(7) or (c)(3), or determines that an employer has violated §
50-1-704
, then the commissioner shall issue a notice and initial order that shall include, at a minimum:
(A)
The commissioner's findings and determinations;
(B)
The penalties that will apply pursuant to subsections (f)-(j);
(C)
The process to request a contested case hearing; and
(D)
The process by which the commissioner shall waive all penalties for a first violation as provided in subdivision (d)(3).
(2)
An employer shall have the right to appeal, pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, a notice and initial order issued by the commissioner pursuant to this section; provided, that the employer sends written notice to the commissioner within thirty (30) days of the date of the notice and initial order. If the employer fails to send such written notice, then the contested case hearing process is waived.
(3)
The commissioner shall issue a warning in lieu of all penalties for a first violation of subdivision (a)(1) or subsection (b) if:
(A)
The employer complies with all remedial action requested by the department to remedy the violation of subdivision (a)(1) and subsection (b) within forty-five (45) days of the date of the notice and initial order; and
(B)
The commissioner determines that the violation of subdivision (a)(1) or subsection (b) was not a knowing violation.
(e)
If the commissioner does not issue a warning in lieu of penalties pursuant to subdivision (d)(3), then the notice and initial order shall be deemed a final order not subject to further review. If there is a contested case hearing, the commissioner shall issue a final order. If the employer does not timely remedy the violations within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the notice and initial order, the notice and initial order shall be deemed a final order, not subject to further review. If a contested case hearing is conducted or a final order is otherwise required to be issued, then the commissioner shall issue a final order. The final order shall include, at a minimum, the types of evidence required from the private employer in order to avoid suspension of the private employer's license under subdivision (f)(3).
(f)
(1)
If the commissioner issues a final order, or a notice and initial order is deemed a final order, not subject to further review, for a violation of subdivision (a)(1) by a private employer, or a violation of §
50-1-704
, then the commissioner shall assess the following civil penalties:
(A)
Five hundred dollars ($500) for a first violation;
(B)
One thousand dollars ($1,000) for a second violation; or
(C)
Two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for a third or subsequent violation.
(2)
(A)
In addition to the civil penalties provided in subdivision (f)(1), the commissioner shall also assess the following civil penalties:
(i)
For a first violation, five hundred dollars ($500) for each employee or nonemployee not verified pursuant to subdivisions (a)(1)(A) and (B);
(ii)
For a second violation, one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each employee or nonemployee not verified pursuant to subdivisions (a)(1)(A) and (B); or
(iii)
For a third or subsequent violation, two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) for each employee or nonemployee not verified pursuant to subdivisions (a)(1)(A) and (B).
(B)
In addition to the civil penalties provided in subdivisions (f)(1) and (f)(2)(A), the commissioner shall also assess a monetary penalty in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500) for any employer that knowingly violates subsection (b) and additional penalties in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500) per day for each day that such violation of subsection (b) continues to exist, beginning forty-five (45) days after the notice and initial order is received by the employer.
(3)
The private employer shall submit to the commissioner evidence of compliance with subdivision (a)(1) and subsection (b) within forty-five (45) days of the final order. If the private employer fails to submit such documentation, then the commissioner shall request an order consistent with §
4-5-320
, requiring the appropriate local government with respect to business licensure pursuant to title 67, chapter 4, to suspend the private employer's license until the employer remedies the violation; provided, however, if the private employer's license has also been suspended pursuant to §
50-1-103(e)(1)(B) or (e)(1)(C)
, then the license shall remain suspended until the expiration of the period provided for in §
50-1-103(e)(1)(B) or (e)(1)(C)
.
(g)
A second or subsequent violation of subdivision (a)(1) or subsection (b) shall accrue from a separate inquiry conducted under subdivision (a)(7) or (c)(3).
(h)
All moneys collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited into the lawful employment enforcement fund created by §
50-1-708
.
(i)
The penalties described in this section shall not be mutually exclusive, and may be imposed in conjunction with any applicable penalties as provided by law.
(j)
If the commissioner issues a final order, or a notice and initial order is deemed a final order, not subject to further review, for a violation of subdivision (a)(1) or subsection (b) by a governmental entity, then the commissioner shall post the violation on the department's website as provided in §
50-1-705
. If the employer does not timely remedy the violations within forty-five (45) days of receipt of the notice and initial order, the notice and initial order shall be deemed a final order, not subject to further review. If a contested case hearing is conducted or a final order is otherwise required to be issued, then the commissioner shall issue a final order.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 832, Secs.s2, s3, s7 eff. 4/19/2022.
Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 828, Secs.s 2, s 3, s 4, s 5, s 6, s 7, s 8, s 9, s 10, s 11, s 12, s 13, s 14, s 15, s 16, s 17, s 18, s 19, s 21 eff. 7/1/2016.
Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 828, s 1, eff. 7/1/2016.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 147, Secs.s 1, s 2, s 3, s 4, s 5, s 6 eff. 4/12/2013.
Acts 2011 , ch. 436, § 5.