House Bill No. 374 proposes the establishment of a state minimum wage in Louisiana, setting it at $10 per hour starting January 1, 2024, with scheduled increases to $12 per hour in 2026 and $14 per hour in 2028. The bill mandates that if the federal minimum wage exceeds the state minimum, the state wage will automatically adjust to match the federal rate. Additionally, the bill allows employees to pursue civil action against employers for wage violations, specifying the proper venues for such actions based on the employer's status and location.

The legislation also includes provisions for reporting and enforcement. City, parish, and district clerks of court are required to maintain and submit monthly dockets of wage violation cases to the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC), which will compile an annual report detailing employers who have violated the minimum wage provisions. Exceptions to the minimum wage law are outlined, excluding student employees, tipped employees, and agricultural workers as defined by federal law. The LWC is tasked with enforcing the new minimum wage regulations and is authorized to create necessary rules for implementation.