Weinberg Bill to Strengthen Wage Theft Laws Passes Committee

TRENTON – Legislation sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg, which would strengthen the enforcement, penalties and procedures regarding an employer or successor firm’s failure to pay wages, passed the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee today.

“Wage theft of any kind is unacceptable,” said Senator Weinberg. “We can raise the minimum wage, but if we don’t double our efforts and ensure New Jersey employees receive their rightful wage, we will fail those we are trying to help. As usual, it will be those with the least and therefore those set to benefit the most by a wage increase who will be victimized by dubious employers. We should do everything we can to make sure everyone is rightfully paid for the work they have done.”

The bill, S-1790, strengthens and expands current laws and measures regarding the theft of an employee’s wages. It would, among other things, increase employer penalties, expand the Commissioner of Labor’s authorization to audit employers and extend the window for an employee to file a wage claim against an employer.

The bill was released from committee by a vote of 8-0-4 and next heads to the full Senate for further consideration.