summary
Introduced
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
In Committee
01/14/2025
01/14/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
126th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amend The South Carolina Code Of Laws By Adding Section 41-1-125 So As To Provide A Base State Minimum Wage And A Schedule To Gradually Implement An Adjusted Minimum Wage To Ten Dollars And Ten Cents Per Hour Over A Three-year Period, To Provide A Method For Calculating Future Mandatory Adjustments, To Provide For The Notification Of These Adjustments To Employers And Employees By The Department Of Labor, Licensing And Regulation, To Provide That It Is Unlawful For An Employer To Fail To Pay The State Minimum Wage Or To Retaliate Against An Employee For Certain Actions Regarding Enforcement Of The State Minimum Wage Law, To Provide Remedies For Violations, To Provide A Five-year Statute Of Limitations, And To Provide That Actions Brought Pursuant To This Act May Be Brought As A Class Action Under State Law.
AI Summary
This bill aims to establish a graduated minimum wage in South Carolina, starting at $8.75 per hour on January 1, 2026, and increasing to $10.10 per hour by January 1, 2028. After reaching $10.10, the minimum wage will be annually adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for the South Region, as calculated by the U.S. Department of Labor. The bill applies to employees covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who file complaints about minimum wage violations. Employees who believe their rights have been violated can bring civil actions to recover unpaid wages, economic damages, attorney's fees, and potentially seek reinstatement or injunctive relief. The Attorney General can also enforce the law by seeking injunctive relief or imposing fines of $1,000 per violation. The bill includes a five-year statute of limitations for bringing such actions and allows for class action lawsuits under state law. The legislation will take effect upon the Governor's approval, providing a clear pathway to increasing the state's minimum wage and protecting workers' rights.
Committee Categories
Business and Industry
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry (on 01/14/2025)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=3226&session=126&summary=B |
| BillText | https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/prever/3226_20241205.htm |
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