HF4444 Summary

• Prohibits employers from misclassifying employees as independent contractors and requires proper classification under workers' compensation and unemployment insurance laws.

• Establishes penalties up to $10,000 per violation for misclassification, failure to report employees, or requiring employees to sign misclassifying documents; allows compensation for unpaid wages and liquidated damages.

• Creates an Intergovernmental Misclassification Enforcement and Education Partnership among the Departments of Labor and Industry, Revenue, Employment and Economic Development, Commerce, and the Attorney General to coordinate enforcement and investigations.

• Expands enforcement authority for the Department of Labor and Industry to issue stop work orders, licensing orders, and administrative penalties for construction contractor misclassification violations.

• Updates registration requirements for construction contractors and requires disclosure of ownership information; effective dates August 1, 2024 for most provisions and January 1, 2025 for construction service requirements.