FL H1457

Creates a new Department of Labor as a state agency with a Secretary appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, with headquarters in Tallahassee and authority to establish regional offices statewide.

Designates the Department of Labor as the state Agency for Workforce Innovation to enforce Florida's minimum wage requirements under Article X, Section 24 of the State Constitution and related statutes.

Establishes comprehensive enforcement powers including investigations, citation authority, administrative hearings, injunctive relief, wage collection, liens, and stop-orders against employers who violate minimum wage laws, with penalties up to $1,000 per willful violation.

Provides employees with protected rights including filing wage complaints, cooperating with investigations, refusing illegal activities, and opposing violations, with rebuttable presumption of employer violation if adverse action occurs within 90 days of exercising protected rights.

Creates the Department of Labor Community Advisory Board composed of representatives from government agencies, business, labor organizations, and requires annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature on worker safety and equity issues.