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Wage Theft Prevention and Recovery Act: Stronger Worker Protections

This act aims to better protect employees from unfair employer practices like unpaid wages or overtime. It introduces new rules for pay transparency, increases penalties for employers, and makes it easier for workers to claim their rights in court. The goal is to ensure everyone receives full and timely payment for their work.
Key points
Employers must provide detailed information to employees about pay rates, calculation methods, and employment status (e.g., overtime eligibility).
Mandatory regular pay stubs with full breakdown of hours, rates, and deductions are introduced.
Employees have the right to full compensation for work performed, even if the contract specifies a higher rate than the minimum wage.
Increased financial penalties for employers violating wage laws, including for unpaid wages and lack of proper documentation.
The time limit for employees to file a lawsuit for unpaid wages is extended from 2 to 4 years (or 3 to 5 years for willful violations).
It is easier for employees to pursue claims in court, including joining collective actions without actively opting in.
A grant program is established to support organizations assisting workers in recovering stolen wages and educating them about their rights.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
Citizen Poll
No votes cast
Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_4174
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Process start date: 2022-05-10
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_4174.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2022-05-10.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Employers must provide detailed information to employees about pay rates, calculation methods, and employment status (e.g., overtime eligibility).
  • Mandatory regular pay stubs with full breakdown of hours, rates, and deductions are introduced.
  • Employees have the right to full compensation for work performed, even if the contract specifies a higher rate than the minimum wage.
  • Increased financial penalties for employers violating wage laws, including for unpaid wages and lack of proper documentation.
  • The time limit for employees to file a lawsuit for unpaid wages is extended from 2 to 4 years (or 3 to 5 years for willful violations).
  • It is easier for employees to pursue claims in court, including joining collective actions without actively opting in.
  • A grant program is established to support organizations assisting workers in recovering stolen wages and educating them about their rights.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

CATEGORIES

Labor Courts and Law