Bill > SB1568

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for prevailing wages for human services providers contracted by the state or counties in Hawaii. The legislation defines human services broadly to include social work, case work, and investigative services aimed at improving individuals' and families' lives, and applies to contracts exceeding $2,000. The bill requires that human services providers be paid prevailing wages, which are determined by the director of labor and industrial relations and include both a basic hourly rate and fringe benefits like health, welfare, vacation, and pension benefits. Contractors must pay these wages weekly, without deduction, and provide overtime compensation at 1.5 times the basic hourly rate for work over eight hours per day or on weekends and holidays. The bill includes robust enforcement mechanisms, such as allowing governmental contracting agencies to withhold payments to ensure compliance, imposing significant financial penalties for violations (ranging from $250 to $10,000 depending on the number of violations), and potentially suspending contractors from future government work for repeated infractions. Additionally, the legislation provides workers with the right to file civil actions to recover unpaid wages and allows for attorney's fees, while also protecting workers by making it clear that agreements to accept less than the required wage are invalid.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1568&year=2026