HI HB409

Adds five new sections to Hawaii's wage and hour law (Chapter 388) to establish stop-work order authority and enforcement procedures for wage violations.

Authorizes the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations to issue stop-work orders prohibiting employers from using employee labor until they comply with wage payment requirements, effective immediately upon service.

Establishes criminal penalties of up to 60 days imprisonment or $10,000 fine (or both) for employers or their representatives who fail to observe a stop-work order.

Requires employers to pay affected employees for time lost during work stoppages, not to exceed ten days, pending compliance with wage laws.

Provides the Director discretion to withdraw stop-work orders or remit penalties upon good cause if the employer comes into compliance, and allows the court to award attorneys' fees and costs to the department in enforcement actions.