MN HF5226

Amends Minnesota Statutes section 181.101 to explicitly require employers to pay all wages, including any raises (statutory or contractual) effective during the pay period, at least once every 31 days.

Clarifies that wages are a substantive right for employees and includes statutory and contractual raises, salary, earnings, gratuities, and commissions in addition to the right to be paid at specified times.

Amends Minnesota Statutes section 609.52, subdivision 1 to add "wage theft" as a criminal definition, which includes an employer's failure to pay an employee wages, raises, salary, gratuities, earnings, or commissions at the required rate or legal rate, whichever is greater.

Effective immediately upon final enactment for section 181.101 and the day following final enactment for section 609.52.