An Act preventing wage theft, promoting employer accountability, and enhancing public enforcement
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to combat wage theft in Massachusetts by increasing employer accountability and strengthening enforcement efforts. It seeks to ensure workers receive all wages they are legally entitled to, including overtime pay and proper deductions. The legislation intends to improve the state’s ability to investigate and prosecute wage theft violations, ultimately protecting workers’ rights and financial security. It builds upon previous attempts to address this issue.
Key provisions
- Expands the definition of wage theft to cover a broader range of violations.
- Increases penalties for employers found guilty of wage theft.
- Provides for enhanced investigative powers for state labor enforcement agencies.
- Creates a system for workers to more easily report wage theft complaints.
- Requires employers to maintain accurate records of employee hours and wages.
- Establishes a process for recovering unpaid wages and penalties from employers.
- Mandates employer training on wage and hour laws.
- Allows for civil lawsuits by employees for wage theft.
Who is affected
- Employees
- Employers
- Massachusetts residents
- Labor enforcement agencies
- Businesses
Notable changes
- Broadens the scope of wage theft violations beyond current definitions.
Bill text
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Text extraction is in progress. View the official source.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
20 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
James B. Eldridge
James K. Hawkins
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