HB 1135 Summary

• Authorizes the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to issue orders of wage payment violation to employers found in violation of wage and hour laws, with violations becoming final unless appealed within 20 days.

• Establishes an appeal process through a hearings officer appointed by the director within 30 days of filing notice of appeal, with decision issued within 30 days of hearing conclusion, subject to judicial review under chapter 91.

• Allows the director to withdraw, modify, or remit penalties if good cause is shown and the employer complies with wage and hour requirements before the order becomes final.

• Enables the director to file certified copies of final wage payment violation orders in any court of competent jurisdiction, with courts rendering judgments without right of appeal.

• Amends wage definition to explicitly include compensation for labor or services rendered on time, task, piece, commission, or other calculation basis, and increases civil penalties to not less than $500 or $100 per violation (whichever is greater) with penalties deposited into the labor law enforcement special fund.