Bill > S1377

This bill addresses wage theft and enhances worker protections by establishing comprehensive new legal provisions for combating wage violations. The legislation defines "wage theft" broadly as multiple types of wage and labor law violations, and requires employers to provide detailed written employment information to workers within 10 days of hiring, including pay rates, pay days, employer contact information, and business details. The bill introduces new enforcement mechanisms, such as stop work orders that can be issued by the Department of Unemployment Assistance or the Attorney General when wage theft is detected, which can halt business operations at a specific workplace. The legislation also creates a Wage Theft Compensation Trust Fund administered by the Attorney General to provide financial support for workers who have experienced wage theft. Additionally, the bill allows groups of three or more current or former employees to bring civil actions for wage theft, with specific procedural requirements like providing written notice to employers before filing suit. Employers have potential defenses, such as maintaining clean records, having insufficient performance ability, or offering reasonable settlements. The bill caps maximum penalties for wage theft at $25,000, supersedes municipal wage and hour ordinances, and will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Labor and Employment

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1377