Bill > S02078

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for addressing wage theft by allowing licensing entities to suspend business licenses for employers convicted of wage-related offenses. The bill defines key terms like "successor business" (a similar business with substantial operational continuity) and "license" (which includes various business incorporation certificates, permits, and registrations). Under the new provisions, when an employer is convicted of failing to pay wages, minimum wage, overtime, or commits wage theft, the labor commissioner can direct state or municipal agencies to suspend one or more of the employer's business licenses for a period determined by the commissioner. The suspension length will depend on factors such as the number of employees affected, total unpaid wages, duration of the violation, and prior misconduct. The bill also allows courts to prohibit convicted employers from applying for licenses under a different business name or opening a successor business in the same trade during the criminal proceedings. Additionally, courts and clerks are required to notify the labor commissioner of such convictions, creating a systematic approach to tracking and penalizing wage theft. The goal is to create a stronger deterrent against wage theft and protect workers' rights by introducing meaningful consequences for businesses that violate wage and hour laws.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S2078