The bill amends the Wage Payment and Collection Law of Pennsylvania, enhancing definitions and provisions related to employer responsibilities and employee rights regarding wage payments. Notably, the definition of "employer" is expanded to include various governmental entities and their agents, while a new term, "high-violation industry," is introduced to categorize industries with frequent violations. The Department of Labor and Industry is tasked with collecting and reporting data on wage violations, fines, and complaints, and is required to conduct regular investigations in high-violation industries.

Additionally, the bill significantly increases penalties for employers who fail to pay wages, replacing the previous penalty structure with a system that imposes a fine of $2,000 per violation or triple the unpaid wages, whichever is greater. It establishes a Wage Enforcement Fund to collect fines and penalties, which will be used for enforcement activities. The bill also includes provisions to protect employees from retaliation for asserting their rights under the act, with escalating penalties for employers who violate these protections. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen wage enforcement and improve compliance among employers in Pennsylvania.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 737 (Feb 24, 2025): P.L.637, No.329
Printer's No. 0737: P.L.637, No.329