Senate Bill No. 206, introduced by Senator Carter, aims to establish a state minimum wage in Louisiana, setting it at $10.00 per hour starting January 1, 2025, with subsequent increases to $12.00 per hour on January 1, 2027, and $14.00 per hour on January 1, 2029. The bill also stipulates that if the federal minimum wage exceeds the state minimum wage, the state rate will automatically increase to match the federal level. Additionally, the bill provides employees with the right to file civil lawsuits against employers for violations of the minimum wage provisions, with specific guidelines on venue for such actions based on the employer's status.

The legislation outlines the civil remedies available to employees, including the right to recover the difference between what they were paid and the mandated minimum wage, along with reasonable attorney fees and court costs. It establishes a one-year limitation for filing actions related to wage violations and mandates that court clerks maintain dockets of cases filed under this law, which must be reported monthly to the Louisiana Workforce Commission. The bill also specifies exceptions to the minimum wage requirements, including student employees and tipped or agricultural workers, and grants the Louisiana Workforce Commission the authority to create necessary regulations for implementation. The act will take effect upon the governor's signature or after the designated time for gubernatorial action.