Wage theft, pay stub bill approved

A bill intended to provide protections and remedies for victims of wage theft received final approval March 27.

LB560, introduced by Omaha Sen. Heath Mello, authorizes the state commissioner of labor to investigate and enforce the Nebraska Wage Payment and Collection Act. The commissioner may subpoena records and witnesses related to an investigation.

Violators will be issued a citation and may incur a fine of up to $500 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for subsequent offenses. Employers may contest a citation.

An employer also is required to deliver or make available to each employee, on each regular payday, a statement of hours worked, wages earned and deductions made. An employer is not required to provide the information for employees who are exempt from overtime under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.

The bill passed on a 42-0 vote.