This bill establishes the Division of Labor Standards within the Department of Commerce as the primary agency for employee protection and workforce support. It outlines the division's responsibilities, including enforcing minimum wage laws, conducting investigations, and issuing citations. A Community Advisory Board is created to provide oversight and input, with the director required to submit an annual report to the Governor and Legislature. The bill also revises existing laws to enhance employee notification of rights and protections against discrimination and retaliation, introducing a rebuttable presumption for employers in violation cases and specifying penalties for non-compliance.

Additionally, the bill amends laws regarding the state minimum wage, mandating annual adjustments based on inflation and requiring the division to notify employers of these changes. It enhances protections for employees exercising their rights, establishes a monetary remedy process, and outlines penalties for employers who violate wage laws. The division is empowered to collect unpaid wages and damages, issue stop-orders, and create liens on employers' properties for unpaid judgments. The bill also requires employers to maintain compliance records for five years and establishes a Community Advisory Board to review the division's activities, focusing on employee safety and equity. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
S 358 Filed: 448.110