RELATING TO THE WAGE AND HOUR LAW.

HB2446

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2446

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the wage and hour law
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

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SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds that wage theft remains
a persistent problem in Hawaii, disproportionately impacting low
‑
wage,
immigrant, and other vulnerable workers.
�

Although existing law provides strong wage and hour protections,
enforcement remains primarily complaint
‑
driven, limiting
effectiveness when workers face language barriers, fear retaliation, or lack
access to trusted reporting channels.

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The legislature further finds that
community
‑
based enforcement partnerships have proven
effective in increasing compliance, improving detection of violations, and
strengthening worker trust without expanding regulatory burdens on compliant
employers.

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The purpose of this Act is to
supplement existing enforcement under the wage and hour law by authorizing the
department of labor and industrial relations to partner with trusted community
‑
based
organizations to enhance outreach, referrals, and the recovery of stolen wages.

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SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 387, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

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"
�387-
�
Community
wage theft enforcement partnership program.
�
(a)
�
The department may establish a community wage
theft enforcement partnership program to support enforcement of this chapter.

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(b)
�

Under the community wage theft enforcement partnership program, the
department may enter into contracts or memoranda of agreement with
community-based organizations to:

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(1)
�
Provide
education to workers regarding wage and hour rights under this chapter;

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(2)
�
Assist workers
in documenting potential wage and hour violations;

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(3)
�
Refer suspected
violations to the wage standards division for investigation; and

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(4)
�
Provide
navigation and language-access support during the enforcement process.

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(c)
�
Community-based organizations participating
in the program shall not conduct investigations or exercise enforcement
authority.

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(d)
�
Information obtained through the community
wage theft enforcement partnership program may be used by the department to
initiate or support investigations, audits, or enforcement actions under this
chapter.

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(e)
�
No employer shall retaliate against an
employee for participating in, or receiving assistance through, the community
wage theft enforcement partnership program.
�
Retaliation shall be subject to penalties and
remedies pursuant to section 387-12.

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(f)
�
The department shall submit an annual report
describing activities of the
community
wage theft enforcement partnership program
, including the number of
partnerships established, workers assisted, and wages recovered to the
legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular
session
.

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(g)
�
Nothing in this section shall be construed to
limit, delay, or replace the department's existing enforcement authority or
complaint intake process.

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(h)
�
For purposes of this section,
"community-based organization" means a nonprofit corporation
incorporated in the State that is organized and controlled by either a
geographic community, a community of identity, or a community of interest and
that is directly involved in community-based economic development activities
that demonstrated experience serving low-wage or vulnerable worker populations
and has the capacity to protect confidentiality.
"

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SECTION 3.
�
There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the
community wage theft enforcement partnership
program
.

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The sum appropriated shall be
expended by the department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes
of this Act.

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SECTION 4.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 5.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DLIR;
Wage and Hour Law; Community Wage Theft Enforcement Partnership Program;
Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes
the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a Community Wage
Theft Enforcement Partnership Program and enter into contracts or memoranda of
agreements with community-based organizations to enhance outreach, referral,
and recovery of stolen wages.
�

Appropriates funds.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.