Bill > H4154

This bill amends the Code of Laws of South Carolina to establish a state minimum wage of $17 per hour, effective January 1, 2020. It requires the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to notify employers of this minimum wage before November 1, 2019. The bill makes it unlawful for an employer to fail to pay the state minimum wage or to retaliate against an employee for actions related to enforcing the minimum wage law. Employees can bring civil actions to recover unpaid wages, economic damages, and attorney's fees, and the state Attorney General can seek injunctive relief and impose fines for violations. The bill also provides a five-year statute of limitations for actions under this law and allows for class action lawsuits.