The bill H.347 proposes significant changes to Vermont's labor laws, primarily focusing on increasing the minimum wage to $20.00 per hour and eliminating the exemption for agricultural workers from minimum wage laws. It also aims to phase in overtime pay for agricultural workers, with specific thresholds for overtime hours that will gradually decrease over the next decade. Additionally, the bill seeks to eliminate the tipped minimum wage, ensuring that all employees, including those in the service industry, receive at least the established minimum wage. Furthermore, it sets a new salary threshold for employees to qualify as exempt from minimum wage and overtime laws, starting at $1,128.00 per week.

The bill also removes the authority of the Commissioner of Labor to recommend a subminimum wage for individuals with disabilities and maintains the Attorney General's authority to investigate and enforce complaints of employee misclassification without a prospective repeal. Other amendments include the repeal of certain sections of existing law related to employment practices. The proposed changes are set to take effect upon passage, reflecting a comprehensive effort to expand labor protections and ensure fair compensation for all workers in Vermont.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 21-383, 21-384, 21-385, 3-222d