| For Immediate Release | For more information contact: |
| March 29, 2001 | Jessie Roos (651-296-9719) |
ST. PAUL -- State Representative Carl Jacobson's support of a bill supported by the city of Shoreview has ensured that the legislation will travel to the House floor for a vote. The legislation -- House File 1409 -- would make it easier for employers to verify the age of potential employees.
"This legislation addresses problems the city of Shoreview has experienced in verifying the eligibility of minors to work," said Jacobson. "The bill would allow for another form of identification -- Form I-9 from the IRS -- to serve as verification."
Testifying in support of the bill before the House Commerce, Jobs and Economic Development Committee on Tuesday was Laurie Elliott, a Human Resources Manager for the City of Shoreview. She said that potential employees who are minors often have a difficult time providing the appropriate verification documents - like a driver's license - because they do not yet have them. Elliott said that this legislation would streamline the hiring process and provide employers with more flexibility.
The legislation was passed to the House Floor unanimously by the Committee on Commerce, Jobs and Economic Development. Senator Mady Reiter is carrying the legislation in the Senate (Senate File 1090).
Jacobson is in his first term as a legislator, representing House District 53B which includes the communities of Gem Lake, Little Canada, Maplewood, North Oaks, Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, and White Bear Township. He serves on the House Health & Human Services Policy Committee as well as the full Tax Committee and Sales & Income Tax Division of the Tax Committee.
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