S.F. No. 3198 Summary

• Requires employers planning plant closings, substantial layoffs, or relocations to provide 60 days' notice to the Commissioner of Employment and Economic Development, affected employees, employee organizations, and local government units.

• Authorizes the commissioner to issue compliance orders requiring adherence to plant closing notification requirements, with employers having 15 calendar days to contest the order or it becomes final.

• Establishes penalties for employer violations including back pay, treble damages, liquidated damages, civil penalties of $1,000 per violation per employee, and reimbursement of litigation and hearing costs.

• Allows employees to bring direct civil actions in district court against employers for violations, with courts ordered to award costs, disbursements, witness fees, and reasonable attorney fees to prevailing employees.

• Applies civil remedies and treble damages to employers who violate state notification requirements or federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act requirements, including intentional denial of back pay and benefits for up to 60 days.