HI SB2298

Increases penalties for employers who fail to pay employees their lawful wages from misdemeanor to class C felony charges under Hawaii Revised Statutes chapters 387 and 388.

Establishes a minimum fine of $500 per violation for employers who willfully fail to pay wages, with each wage violation counted as a separate offense.

Applies penalties to employers, their agents, and corporate officers who knowingly permit wage violations or pay employees less compensation than they are entitled to receive.

Maintains existing criminal penalties for employee discrimination, retaliation, and other wage law violations as misdemeanors with fines of $100-$10,000 and up to one year imprisonment.

Takes effect upon approval and does not apply retroactively to violations that occurred before the law's effective date.