COMBS INTRODUCES OHIO JOB INTEGRITY PRESERVATION ACT

COLUMBUS – State Representative Courtney Combs (R- Hamilton) today introduced legislation that would establish a
system to ensure the legal citizenship status of Ohio employees and require police to verify the citizenship status of anyone
arrested.

House Bill 184 will require public and private employers to register for a program such as “E-verify,” which checks Social
Security Administration and United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) records to ensure that a potential
employee is legally able to work in the United States. Employers must affirm their participation with the program on state
income tax returns or be guilty of either dereliction of duty or falsification. “E-verify” is used by the DHS and in 15 other
states.

“Ohioans are fed up with the lack of effort by the federal government in dealing with the growing concerns of foreign
lawbreakers,” Combs said. “E-verify is a fast and free program that will aid employers in hiring legal Ohioans. This legislation
is intended to preserve jobs for Americans and those who are here legally.”

Additionally, the bill charges jails with making reasonable efforts toward verifying the citizenship of all persons charged and
confined within its quarters. If the official is unable to verify the confined person’s citizenship or if the person is an illegal
alien, the Department of Homeland Security must be notified and fingerprints of the person must be taken electronically.

“Our country is witnessing record high numbers of unlicensed, unregistered and uninsured drivers, thousands of whom are
foreign lawbreakers,” Combs said. “A number of these foreign lawbreakers have been arrested multiple times for different
offenses, including drunk driving. Had they been reported to the Department of Homeland Security after their first drunk
driving arrest, lives could have been saved.”

Another provision included in the bill would prohibit cities from passing ordinances that limit or restrict law enforcement or
public agencies from cooperating with federal immigration officials. It would also allow judges to regard a person’s
immigration status when considering bail.

House Bill 184 will now be referred to a committee for further discussion.