Pennsylvania has now joined the list of U.S. states requiring all public works contractors and subcontractors to participate in the E-Verify online employment eligibility verification program. The Public Works Employment Verification Act was signed into law on July 5, 2012, by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett, and will take effect on January 1, 2013.

Under the law, contractors and subcontractors engaged in public works with the state of Pennsylvania (including construction, reconstruction, demolition and repair work) must participate in the federal E-Verify system. Contractors and subcontractors who do not comply with this requirement will face the possibility of tiered penalties for noncompliance with the law.