Bill > A04994

This bill provides enhanced legal protections for employees facing wage theft by expanding their ability to hold corporate shareholders and members personally liable for unpaid wages in non-publicly traded corporations and limited liability companies. Specifically, the bill allows employees to seek recovery of wages directly from the ten largest shareholders or members, broadening the definition of recoverable wages to include not just base pay, but also overtime, benefits, penalties, liquidated damages, and attorney's fees. The bill also streamlines procedural requirements for employees seeking to inspect corporate records and pursue claims, making it easier to identify and hold responsible parties accountable. For instance, it reduces notification and action timeframes, allows more flexible record inspection rights, and ensures that successor employers can be held liable for wage violations of prior entities with substantially similar operations. The legislation aims to provide stronger deterrents against wage theft by creating more direct pathways for employees to recover unpaid compensation and hold business owners personally responsible for labor law violations. The bill will take effect 30 days after becoming law and can be applied to wage claims that arose even before its effective date.

Justice

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4994