CT HB05240

Changes employee wage recovery from discretionary ("may recover") to mandatory ("shall recover") twice the full amount of unpaid wages in civil actions under sections 31-71a to 31-71i and section 31-76k.

Adds good faith defense allowing employers to avoid double damages if they demonstrate they believed in good faith they were in compliance with wage payment requirements.

Grants the Labor Commissioner authority to collect double damages, interest, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees, and to bring legal actions to recover unpaid wages or arbitration awards.

Eliminates the defense that agreements between employees and employers for alternative wage payment methods can override statutory wage requirements.

Effective date: October 1, 2012.