This bill proposes to amend current statutes regarding wage claims by increasing the cap for unpaid wages that an employee can claim from an employer through the Labor Department. Under current law, an employee may file a claim for unpaid wages if the amount does not exceed five thousand dollars, but the bill would change this limit to $12,000. This adjustment allows employees to seek claims for a larger amount without having to pursue civil action. The bill specifically targets section 23-356 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, where the existing language regarding the cap on unpaid wages is modified. The five thousand dollars threshold is removed and replaced with the new $12,000 limit, while the requirement for filing the claim within one year of the claim's accrual remains unchanged. This change aims to provide greater financial recourse for employees who have not been paid their due wages.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 23-356
Senate Engrossed Version: 23-356
Chaptered Version: 23-356