This bill amends the New Jersey State Wage and Hour Law to increase penalties for employers who violate wage and hour regulations. Specifically, it raises the fines for a first violation from a minimum of $100 to $500, while keeping the maximum fine at $1,000. For a second violation, the minimum fine is increased from $500 to $1,000, with a maximum fine of $2,000. Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision that classifies a third or subsequent violation as a crime of the fourth degree, which carries a penalty of a minimum fine of $2,000 and a maximum of $10,000, along with potential imprisonment for up to 18 months.

The bill also outlines the process for assessing administrative penalties, allowing the Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development to impose fines of up to $250 for a first violation and up to $500 for subsequent violations. Before imposing these penalties, the commissioner must notify the alleged violator by certified mail and provide an opportunity for a hearing. If no hearing is requested, the notice becomes a final order after 15 days. The collected fines will be allocated towards the enforcement and administration costs of the Division of Workplace Standards in the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 34:11-56