Bill > HB600

This bill, known as the Minimum Wage and Second Chance Act of 2025, introduces significant changes to labor regulations in Georgia by establishing new minimum wage requirements and creating a grant program for employers who hire rehabilitated offenders. Specifically, the bill increases the minimum wage for agricultural workers, starting at $15.00 per hour in July 2025 and incrementally rising to $27.00 per hour by July 2028, and mandates a minimum wage of $20.00 per hour for state employees. The bill also creates a new grant program through the Department of Labor to support employers who hire rehabilitated offenders (defined as individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors or felonies who are hired within five years of release from prison). The department will be responsible for establishing criteria for the grants, certifying eligible offenders, and implementing an application process. Additionally, the bill requires annual reporting on the program's effectiveness, including details such as the number of grants distributed, offenders employed, and participating employers. The existing minimum wage law is modified to remove exemptions for farm owners and to clarify coverage for various types of employers and employees. The act will become effective upon approval by the Governor.

Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70726