FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 465

                                  C 172 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Commerce & Labor (originally sponsored by Representatives Wang, Patrick and Sayan; by request of Department of Labor and Industries)

Changing provisions relating to wage claims.

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The director of the Department of Labor and Industries is authorized to take assignments of wage claims and pursue the collection of wages for persons who are financially unable to prosecute their own lawsuits.  It is not clear whether the department's wage collection authority extends to those employees who have not formally assigned a claim to the department.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Labor and Industries is authorized to:  (1) conduct investigations to ensure compliance with the prevailing wage law, the minimum wage law and the wage collection law whenever information is obtained indicating that a violation may be occurring;  (2) order the payment of wages owed workers and institute actions to collect wages owed;  and (3) take assignments of wage claims and prosecute actions on behalf of persons who are financially unable to employ counsel when in the director's judgment the claims are valid and enforceable in the courts.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 95   0

      Senate    45     0

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987