The State of Ohio has introduced a new requirement for companies engaged in non‑residential construction work within its borders. With the signing of the E‑Verify Workforce Integrity Act on December 19, 2025, the governor established a mandatory framework that will take effect on March 20, 2026. The measure extends across the non‑residential construction sector, reaching contractors of all sizes, as well as subcontractors and labor brokers. Its scope includes projects involving buildings, roads, bridges, utilities, and similar infrastructure, while excluding residential projects, manufactured or mobile homes, certain agricultural buildings, and industrialized units.
The law requires covered employers to create E‑Verify cases for all newly hired workers unless a valid case already exists and no additional verification is required under federal rules. Employers must maintain verification records for the applicable retention period and end employment when a final nonconfirmation is issued. State agencies issuing contracts will include these requirements in their agreements, making compliance a condition for participating in applicable public projects.
Enforcement authority lies with the Ohio Attorney General, who must investigate all formal complaints and may act on anonymous submissions that contain sufficient factual details. If evidence supports a violation, the Attorney General may issue a Notice of Violation that can result in escalating monetary penalties and a minimum two‑year prohibition on receiving state contracts. Continued employment after a final nonconfirmation carries additional consequences, and a court may permanently revoke an employer’s license if it finds the repeated knowing employment of an unauthorized individual. After any debarment period ends, employers must submit a sworn affidavit confirming that fines have been paid and that no further violations have occurred.