HCS HB 1792 -- MINIMUM WAGE LAW

SPONSOR:  Jones, 89 (Parson)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
General Laws by a vote of 9 to 2.

In lieu of the established minimum wage rate, this substitute
allows an employer to pay an employee who is younger than 18
years of age a rate that is not less than 75% of the required
minimum wage rate if it is not lower than the applicable minimum
wage established by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as
amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 201, et seq.  The reduced rate may
only be paid during the first 90 days of employment and will not
apply to a returning seasonal employee who works for the same
employer within an 18-month period.

An employer is prohibited from displacing an employee or reducing
his or her hours, wages, or benefits in order to hire an
individual at the lower wage rate.  Anyone who knowingly violates
this provision will be guilty of a class D felony; and the
Attorney General or an employee injured by a violation may bring
a civil action to recover actual damages, punitive damages, and
attorney fees.  A court may also provide equitable relief as it
deems necessary.

The provisions of the substitute will expire three years from the
effective date.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2011, FY 2012, and
FY 2013.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters of the bill say that it will encourage
the employment and training of young persons in a manner similar
to the federal minimum wage requirements.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Parson; Missouri
Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Missouri Restaurant
Association; Missouri Retailers Association; Missouri Grocers'
Association; Ron Calzone; and McDonalds Corporation.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say that it will undermine
wage increases enacted under Proposition B and could result in
older workers being replaced or not hired in preference for
younger workers.

Testifying against the bill were the Department of Labor and
Industrial Relations; Missouri AFL-CIO; Missouri National
Education Association; David Morton, Hotel Employees Union in St.
Louis; Service Employees' International Union; Lara Granich, Jobs
with Justice; and James Mizes.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:12 pm