Amends TCA Title 4; Title 50 and Title 57.

This bill authorizes certain visa holders to seek employment or an internship in this state, consistent with federal law, without verification by a governmental entity through the systematic alien verification for entitlements (SAVE) program or the student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) if the alien provides certain proof of the alien's status.<br /> <br /> Present law requires, except where prohibited by federal law, that every state governmental entity and local health department verify that each applicant 18 years of age or older, who applies for a federal, state or local public benefit from the entity or local health department, is a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States.<br /> <br /> If an applicant claims qualified alien status, then present law requires the applicant to:<br /> <br /> (1) Present two forms of documentation of identity and immigration status, as determined by the United States department of homeland security to be acceptable for verification through the SAVE program; or<br /> <br /> (2) Present at least one document as described in (1) above that the entity or local health department must then verify through the SAVE program or the SEVIS system.<br /> <br /> This bill would alter the manner in which a governmental entity verifies applicants claiming qualified alien status by instead providing that a state or local governmental entity is not required to verify a nonresident alien's status through the SAVE program or the SEVIS system if the nonresident alien provides proof satisfactory that the nonresident alien:<br /> <br /> (1) Holds a valid J-1 visa for participation in the J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program and the nonresident alien is seeking a professional or commercial license from the state or local governmental entity for purposes of employment in this state in a manner consistent with federal law governing the employment of J-1 visa holders; <br /> <br /> (2) Holds a valid H-2B visa and the nonresident alien is seeking employment in this state in a manner consistent with federal law governing the employment of H-2B visa holders; or<br /> <br /> (3) Holds a valid visa for participation in an international culinary internship program and the nonresident alien is seeking employment or an internship in this state consistent with federal law governing international culinary internship programs.<br />