Bill > H1773

This bill establishes a living wage for employees of certain large retail stores and fast food chains by amending existing state law. It defines "fast food or big box retail employer" as an entity employing 200 or more such employees in the state, or a fast food franchisor and its franchisees collectively employing 200 or more, and clarifies that these employers, along with their contractors and subcontractors, are jointly responsible for compliance. A "fast food or big box retail employee" is defined as anyone working on the premises of these establishments, including those employed through temporary agencies or by cleaning or security contractors. The bill also defines "fast food restaurant" as a place where customers order and pay before eating, with a limited menu and quick preparation, and "big box retail store" as a retail business with a sales area of 25,000 square feet or more. The bill sets a minimum wage of $12.00 per hour for these specific employees, which is presumed to be a living wage, and also mandates that the minimum wage be at least $0.50 higher than the federal minimum wage. This minimum wage is scheduled to increase incrementally, reaching $13.50 on January 1, 2017, and $15.00 on January 1, 2018, with the initial $12.00 rate taking effect on January 1, 2016.