2015 -- S 0272

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LC000988

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2015

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A N   A C T

     RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - MINIMUM WAGES

     Introduced By: Senators Raptakis, McCaffrey, Ciccone, Lombardi, and Archambault

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2015

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 28-12-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-12 entitled "Minimum

Wages" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     28-12-3. Minimum wages. -- (a) Every employer shall pay to each of his or her

employees: commencing July 1, 1999, at least the minimum wage of five dollars and sixty-five

cents ($5.65) per hour. Commencing September 1, 2000, the minimum wage is six dollars and

fifteen cents ($6.15) per hour.

      (b) Commencing January 1, 2004, the minimum wage is six dollars and seventy-five

cents ($6.75) per hour.

      (c) Commencing March 1, 2006, the minimum wage is seven dollars and ten cents

($7.10) per hour.

      (d) Commencing January 1, 2007, the minimum wage is seven dollars and forty cents

($7.40) per hour.

      (e) Commencing January 1, 2013, the minimum wage is seven dollars and seventy-five

cents ($7.75) per hour.

      (f) Commencing January 1, 2014, the minimum wage is eight dollars ($8.00) per hour.

      (g) Commencing January 1, 2015, the minimum wage is nine dollars ($9.00) per hour.

     (h) On January 1, 2016, and on January 1 of each year thereafter, the minimum wage then

in effect shall be increased by an amount equal to the percentage increase calculated to the nearest

increment of fifty cents ($.50) in the United States Department of Labor Consumer Price Index

for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers for the northeast region during the most recent

calendar year for which such data is available; provided, however, that no annual increase so

calculated shall exceed fifty cents ($.50).

     (i) The department of labor and training shall notify all Rhode Island employers of any

minimum wage rate increase by mail, at least forty-five (45) days prior to its effective date.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

     RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - MINIMUM WAGES

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     This act would increase the minimum hourly wage annually commencing on January 1,

2016 using the Consumer Price Index, but in no case by more than fifty cents ($.50). It would

require the department of labor and training to notify all Rhode Island employers of any

minimum wage increase by mail at least forty-five (45) days before its effective date.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC000988

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