2017 -- S 0289

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS - MINIMUM WAGE

     

     Introduced By: Senator Marc A. Cote

     Date Introduced: February 15, 2017

     Referred To: Senate Labor

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 28-12-3.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-12 entitled "Minimum

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Wages" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     28-12-3.1. Wages for minors.

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     (a) Every minor, fourteen (14) and fifteen (15) years of age shall be paid at a rate of not

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less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the minimum wages as specified in § 28-12-3; provided,

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every minor who works in excess of twenty-four (24) hours in any week shall be paid for all

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hours worked in that week at the hourly rate provided by § 28-12-3 or § 28-12-5(e).

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     (b) Opportunity wage. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this chapter, during the

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first six hundred eighty (680) hours or ninety (90) days of employment, an employer may pay an

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employee, eighteen (18) years old or younger, a wage equal to seventy-fine percent (75%) of the

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minimum wage required under §28-12-3 or the minimum wage rate established by the Federal

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Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.), whichever is greater.

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     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 WAGE

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     This act would allow employers to pay the greater or seventy-five percent (75%) of the

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state minimum wage rate, or the federal minimum wage rate to employees eighteen (18) years or

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younger during the first six hundred eighty (680) hours or ninety (90) days of their employment.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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