On Tuesday, March 1, 2011 HR Debbie Riddle read for the first time, House Bill 1202, to State Affairs of the Legislature of the State of Texas. The bill relates to, “The creation of the offense of employing or contracting with an unauthorized alien.”
According to the text of the bill, “A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly: (1) employs an unauthorized alien; (2) contracts for the performance of labor or other work with an unauthorized alien or; (3) contracts or subcontracts for the performance of labor or other work with another person the actor knows will employ or contract with an unauthorized alien to perform labor or other work under the contract or subcontract.”
If passed, this act will be effective September 1, 2011. As of 04/13/2011 the bill has been left pending in the House.
To employers in Texas, you’ll be out of luck accessing cheap, under-the-table labor, if this bill passes (or so it would appear). However there is an exception for those who employ an unauthorized immigrant to perform work, “Exclusively or primarily at a single-family residence”. Basically the maids and nannies are safe!
Bravo Texas for making some efforts to start holding employers more accountable. But is Texas really prepared to cut off an estimated 9% of their workforce?
This woman is so duuuummmmbbbb. Weird that the maids/nannies are unaffected; why the heck is that? Also, 9%... I had no idea.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I am really impressed by the look and feel of your blog. I like simple and clean. Good work. :)