Bill > HB2446

This bill authorizes the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to create a "Community Wage Theft Enforcement Partnership Program" to combat wage theft, which disproportionately affects vulnerable workers like low-wage earners and immigrants. This program will allow the department to contract with community-based organizations, defined as non-profit corporations serving specific communities or groups with demonstrated experience helping low-wage or vulnerable workers, to help workers understand their wage and hour rights, document potential violations, and get referred to the department for investigation. These partner organizations will not have enforcement powers themselves but will provide crucial outreach, language assistance, and support throughout the process, with the department able to use information gathered to initiate its own investigations. The bill also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who participate in the program and requires the department to report annually to the legislature on the program's activities, including wages recovered. Importantly, this initiative is intended to supplement, not replace, the department's existing enforcement capabilities. The bill also includes an appropriation of funds for the program and sets an effective date of July 1, 3000.

Justice, Labor and Employment

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2446&year=2026