26 §626-A. Penalties - Maine Statutes

Title 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY

Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

Subchapter 2: WAGES AND MEDIUM OF PAYMENT

§626-A. Penalties

Whoever violates any of the provisions of sections 621-A to 623 or section 626, 628, 629 or 629-B is subject to a forfeiture of not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each violation. [1999, c. 465, §5 (AMD).]

Any employer is liable to the employee or employees for the amount of unpaid wages and health benefits. Upon a judgment being rendered in favor of any employee or employees, in any action brought to recover unpaid wages or health benefits under this subchapter, such judgment includes, in addition to the unpaid wages or health benefits adjudged to be due, a reasonable rate of interest, costs of suit including a reasonable attorney's fee, and an additional amount equal to twice the amount of unpaid wages as liquidated damages. [1993, c. 648, §1 (AMD).]

Remedies for unpaid wages do not become available to the employee except as follows. If the wages are clearly due without a bona fide dispute, remedies are available to the employee 8 days after the due date for payment. If there is a bona fide dispute at the time payment is due, remedies become available to the employee 8 days after demand when the wages are, in fact, due and remain unpaid. [1999, c. 465, §5 (NEW).]

The action for unpaid wages or health benefits may be brought by either the affected employee or employees or by the Department of Labor. The Department of Labor is further authorized to supervise the payment of the judgment, collect the judgment on behalf of the employee or employees and collect fines incurred through violation of this subchapter. When the Department of Labor brings an action for unpaid wages or health benefits, this action and an action to collect a civil forfeiture may both be joined in the same proceeding. [1993, c. 648, §1 (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

1975, c. 113, §5 (NEW). 1975, c. 623, §§37-C (AMD). 1975, c. 770, §114 (AMD). 1983, c. 652, §§2,3 (AMD). 1993, c. 648, §1 (AMD). 1999, c. 465, §5 (AMD).