Relating to a database of employers penalized for failure to pay wages or convicted of certain criminal offenses involving wage theft.
With the implementation of this bill, the state laws governing employer penalties and accountability will shift to include more stringent measures against wage theft. Employers who are assessed administrative penalties, fail to comply with wage payment orders, or are convicted of offenses relating to wage theft will be included in the database for a period of three years. This could lead to increased compliance with wage payment laws as employers will be more aware of the potential repercussions of violating these laws.
House Bill 190 seeks to create a publicly accessible database of employers who have been penalized for failing to pay wages or who have been convicted of criminal offenses related to wage theft. The legislation mandates that the Texas Workforce Commission establish this database by December 1, 2021. The purpose of the bill is to enhance transparency and accountability among employers while providing important information to employees about potential wage theft by their employers.
Overall, HB 190 represents a significant step towards addressing wage theft in Texas by increasing the accountability of employers. The establishment of a database could empower employees with the knowledge they need to recognize businesses that have a history of wage theft, thus promoting more ethical labor practices in the state.
While supporters of HB 190 tout its potential to protect employee rights and ensure fair wages, there may be concerns regarding the fairness of the listing process and the implications for businesses. The bill allows employers to dispute their inclusion in the database, which raises questions about the effectiveness of the processes in place to handle disputes and the criteria used to determine inclusion. Additionally, businesses may express concerns about the potential for reputational damage due to inclusion in the database, even if disputes reveal mitigating circumstances.