HI SB2383

Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to enforce penalties against employers in covered establishments for violations of notification and penalty provisions under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 394B-9.

Addresses enforcement gaps created by the 2007 amendments to the Dislocated Workers Act, which added penalties for employer failure to provide notice of business closings, divestitures, partial closings, or relocations.

Eliminates the requirement for aggrieved workers to file costly and time-consuming court claims to enforce penalties, reducing barriers to workers seeking redress.

Received support from ILWU Local 142 and Hawaii Government Employees Association; DLIR opposed the measure.

Committee on Labor & Public Employment recommended passage and referral to the Committee on Judiciary.