Committee advances bill requiring mandatory reporting of individuals not lawfully present; opponents warn of chilling effects

Summary

House Bill 9 27, which would make a broad set of professionals mandatory reporters of individuals not lawfully present in the U.S., passed the House Judiciary Committee 12-8 after heated testimony from educators, health-care workers and immigrant-rights advocates who said the measure would undermine trust and service access.

Representative Lucas Schubert, sponsor of House Bill 9 27, told the Judiciary Committee the bill would "require the mandatory reporting of illegal aliens from individuals who currently fall under the mandatory reporting for child abuse and neglect." He said the text largely parallels existing mandatory‑reporting language and argued the measure was needed to address illegal immigration.

Supporters' view: the sponsor and a small number of proponents argued expanding mandatory reporting will improve enforcement and provide a state-level mechanism to flag noncitizen presence. During the hearing Representative Schubert said the Department of Justice would function as an intermediary to collect reports and that he planned to amend reporting to go directly to federal enforcement (ICE) in further action.

Opponents'…

Committee advances bill requiring mandatory reporting of individuals not lawfully present; opponents warn of chilling effects

Summary

Subscribe to keep reading