CA AB1741

Allows contractors, subcontractors, or sureties to deposit civil wage and penalty assessments with the Department of Industrial Relations as cash or a surety bond (instead of cash only) to avoid liquidated damages liability during administrative or judicial review.

Requires the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations to prescribe requirements for bonds deposited under these provisions.

Maintains that if a wage assessment is overturned or modified after review, liquidated damages are only owed on wages actually found to be due and unpaid.

Permits the director to waive liquidated damages if a contractor demonstrates substantial grounds for appealing a portion of the assessment.

Requires the Labor Commissioner and awarding body to offer settlement meetings within 30 days of assessment service, with protections making settlement discussions inadmissible in subsequent proceedings.