Bill > SB2440

This bill establishes a comprehensive Minimum Wage Act for Mississippi that gradually increases the state minimum wage to $15 per hour over three years, starting with $12 per hour on January 1, 2026, and rising to $15 per hour on January 1, 2028. The bill applies to employers with five or more employees, defines key terms such as "employee" and "employer," and provides numerous exemptions for specific types of workers, including agricultural laborers, students, independent contractors, and certain executive or professional workers. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security will enforce the law, with provisions for criminal penalties and civil actions against employers who violate the minimum wage requirements. The bill allows for special rates for learners and younger workers (85% of minimum wage for the first 200 hours), mandates overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for work over 40 hours (except for agricultural workers), and permits employers in industries with customary gratuities to count up to 50% of the minimum wage from tips. Additionally, the bill amends existing state laws to prevent local governments from establishing minimum wages lower than the state rate and ensures that employers maintain detailed employment records, post summaries of the law, and face significant fines and potential imprisonment for violations, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding workers' health, efficiency, and general well-being.

Labor and Employment

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/SB/SB2440.xml