2017 -- S 0289

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LC001220

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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:

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

Wages" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     28-12-3.1. Wages for minors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC001220

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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

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

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

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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