HB 1548 - DIGEST

(SEE ALSO PROPOSED 1ST SUB)

Finds that over five thousand state residents per year file cases and complaints with the department of labor and industries alleging they have been denied payment for work they performed. The department of labor and industries currently does not have an effective means of addressing these complaints in order to ensure workers are paid the wages they are owed.

Finds that the Washington state minimum wage law and wage claim laws do not authorize adequate penalties against violators. To improve compliance, the department of labor and industries should be allowed to assess interest on back wages and impose civil penalties against employers who are found to be not in compliance with chapters 49.46 and 49.48 RCW.