MO HB1745

Requires employees alleging minimum wage or overtime violations arising on or after January 1, 2027 to file a complaint with the department before filing a civil lawsuit, as a jurisdictional prerequisite

Complaints must include all relevant pay periods, pay stubs, and time sheets; any pay periods omitted from the complaint are deemed compliant and waived for future claims

Department must complete investigation within 90 days and issue findings; if unresolved, a "right to sue" notice is issued and employees have 30 days to file suit in circuit court

Employers may offer settlement within 30 days of receiving the investigative report; if no agreement is reached within 180 days, the department issues a "right to sue" notice

Employees who file suit without first completing the administrative process must have the suit dismissed and pay the employer's legal fees; employees who receive court awards equal to or less than the department's finding or employer's settlement offer become liable for both parties' litigation costs