AN ACT Relating to damages for wage theft; amending RCW 49.52.070; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1.  RCW 49.52.070 and 2010 c 8 s 12056 are each amended to read as follows:

Any employer and any officer, vice principal or agent of any employer who shall violate any of the provisions of RCW 49.52.050 (1) and (2) shall be liable in a civil action by the aggrieved employee or his or her assignee to judgment for ((twice)) the amount of the wages unlawfully rebated or withheld plus twice that amount by way of exemplary damages, together with costs of suit and a reasonable sum for attorney's fees((: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the benefits of this section shall not be available to any employee who has knowingly submitted to such violations)).

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