Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act of 2022

Bill: 117-hr-7701
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
Introduced: 2022-05-10 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration
Civil actions and liability
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government studies and investigations
Labor standards
Personnel records
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: 

Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act 

 
This bill requires employers to make initial and modified disclosures to employees of the terms of their employment, provide such employees with regular paystubs, and make a final payment to an employee for uncompensated work hours within 14 days of the employee's termination. Employers must also allow employees access to wage records. 
 
An employer must compensate an employee at the rate specified in an employment contract, including a collective bargaining agreement, that specifies a rate of pay higher than the minimum wage rate. The bill makes all of such unpaid wages recoverable through civil enforcement.
 
The bill establishes new and increased civil and criminal penalties for violations of overtime or minimum wage requirements, including referral to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution of employers who engage in wage theft, falsification of wage records, or retaliation against employees. 
 
The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor must provide grants to specified organizations, including nonprofits and educational institutions, to enhance the enforcement of wage and hour laws. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on successful grant programs.

action_date: 2022-10-07
text: 

Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act 

of 2022

 
This bill requires employers to make initial and modified disclosures to employees of the terms of their employment, provide such employees with regular paystubs, and make a final payment to an employee for uncompensated work hours within 14 days of the employee's termination. Employers must also allow employees access to wage records.
 
An employer must compensate an employee at the rate specified in an employment contract, including a collective bargaining agreement, that specifies a rate of pay higher than the minimum wage rate. The bill makes all of such unpaid wages recoverable through civil enforcement.
 
The bill establishes new and increased civil and criminal penalties for violations of overtime or minimum wage requirements, including referral to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution of employers who engage in wage theft, falsification of wage records, or retaliation against employees. 
 
The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor must provide grants to specified organizations, including nonprofits and educational institutions, to support efforts to prevent and reduce violations of wage and hour laws.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-10-07
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 388.
action_date: 2022-10-07
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-540.
action_date: 2022-10-07
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 117-540.
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 19.
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2022-05-10
text: Introduced in House