JEFFERSON CITY, Mo (AP) - Missouri lawmakers give final approval to a bill that adds new limits and requirements for illegal immigrants, the cities in which they live and the businesses that employ them.

The bill would require people to prove they are U.S. citizens or are legally in the country when applying for food stamps, housing and other public benefits; penalize businesses that knowingly hire illegal immigrants; order the Missouri State Highway Patrol to seek special federal immigration training; and bar Missouri cities from refusing to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

The measure also allows fines of up to $50,000 for employers who misclassify their workers as "contractors" instead of "employees." The employers must have at least five employees doing public works.

When workers are contractors, employers don't have to pay
withholding taxes, provide other benefits or take responsibility if
the worker is an illegal immigrant.