Changes to the I-9 form -- new training needed?

Today's statement on the USCIS government website indicated that the current I-9 form is no longer valid, effective immediately.

But before you start reading over the new form, looking for the changes, planning the new I-9 directions in the handbook, and the new verification process for new hires, take a deep breath.

I am going to walk you through the changes. Now. Here.

1) At the top of the I-9 form and its accompanying instruction form is a date. Your copy probably says "Expires 06/30/08." The new form says (are you ready?) "Expires 06/30/09"

2) At the bottom of the two forms, yours most likely says " Rev. 06-05-07." The new form says "Rev. 06/16/08."

That's it.

There are no other changes. According to the government's web site, the only new training you will need to do is to train someone to throw away the old forms immediately, and order new forms right away. The old otherwise identical forms are no longer valid.

This kind of reads like a Friday Funny. The saddest part is, it's not.