CS/HB 957 Summary

• Creates section 448.111 of Florida Statutes to allow counties to adopt local ordinances addressing wage theft through partnerships with legal services organizations.

• Defines "wage theft" as illegal or improper underpayment or nonpayment of employee wages, salary, commissions, or similar compensation within a reasonable time after work is performed.

• Requires county ordinances to establish a process where legal services organizations assist employees in recovering unpaid wages, including notifying employers and attempting informal resolution before pursuing court action or referrals to pro bono counsel.

• Authorizes counties to dedicate county funds to assist legal services organizations in addressing wage theft claims.

• Preempts any county, municipality, or political subdivision regulation of wage theft enacted on or after January 1, 2014, that exceeds the provisions of this section to the state.