S 174 - Economic Security Act of 2017

• Increases state minimum wage in phases from $8.00 per hour (Sept 1, 2017) to $15.00 per hour (Jan 1, 2021), with interim increases of $9.50 (2018), $11.00 (2019), and $13.00 (2020).

• Requires equal pay for equal work between genders, allows employees to recover unpaid wages plus costs and attorneys' fees, with civil actions allowed within two years of discovery.

• Mandates paid sick leave accruing at one hour per 30 hours worked (32 hours annually for small businesses, 56 hours for others) for employee illness, family care, or domestic violence/sexual assault situations.

• Eliminates tips as credit toward minimum wage (gradually through 2018), implements wage theft protections including liens on employer property for unpaid wages, and requires employers to notify employees of wages, payment methods, and employment status in writing.

• Reinstates Earned Income Tax Credit at 5% of federal credit (through 2021) and child care tax credit (7-13% of expenses depending on income level), repeals public employee collective bargaining restrictions, and implements "ban the box" for public employment hiring.