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PA HB944

PA HB944
Further providing for definitions; providing for duty of department to report; further providing for civil remedies and penalties, for liquidated damages and for criminal penalties; providing for employer liability; and establishing the Wage Enforcement Fund.


summary

Introduced
04/17/2023
In Committee
04/17/2023
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
12/31/2024

Introduced Session

2023-2024 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Amending the act of July 14, 1961 (P.L.637, No.329), entitled "An act relating to the payment of wages or compensation for labor or services; providing for regular pay days; conferring powers and duties upon the Department of Labor and Industry, including powers and duties with respect to the civil collection of wages; providing civil and criminal penalties for violations of the act; providing for their collection and disposition and providing for additional civil damages," further providing for definitions; providing for duty of department to report; further providing for civil remedies and penalties, for liquidated damages and for criminal penalties; providing for employer liability; and establishing the Wage Enforcement Fund.

AI Summary

This bill amends the Wage Payment and Collection Law to further define "employer," require the Department of Labor and Industry to report wage violation data, increase civil penalties and criminal penalties for wage violations, establish employer liability for similar violations, and create a Wage Enforcement Fund to fund inspections, investigations, and enforcement of the law and the Minimum Wage Act. The key changes include expanding the definition of "employer," mandating quarterly data reporting by the department, doubling the civil penalty to $2,000 or triple the unpaid wages, and establishing criminal penalties ranging from a summary offense to a felony depending on the amount of unpaid wages. The bill also creates a Wage Enforcement Fund to support the department's enforcement efforts.

Committee Categories

Labor and Employment

Sponsors (32)

Last Action

Referred to LABOR AND INDUSTRY (on 04/17/2023)

Bill Topics

Labor and Employment
  • ‐ Fair Labor Standards
  • ‐ General Labor and Employment
  • ‐ Worker Safety and Protection

bill text


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