HI HB2446

Establishes a Community Wage Theft Enforcement Partnership Program within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to address wage theft affecting low-wage, immigrant, and vulnerable workers.

Authorizes DLIR to contract with community-based organizations to educate workers on wage and hour rights, help document violations, refer cases to the wage standards division, and provide language-access support.

Prohibits community-based organizations from conducting investigations or exercising enforcement authority; that power remains solely with the department.

Protects employees from retaliation for participating in or receiving assistance through the program, with penalties under existing wage and hour law.

Requires DLIR to submit annual reports to the legislature on partnerships established, workers assisted, and wages recovered; appropriates unspecified general funds for fiscal year 2026-2027.