119th (2025–2027)
S. 4919
# Summary of S. 4919: Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act This bill strengthens federal protections against wage theft—the practice of employers failing to pay workers for hours worked or benefits owed. The legislation applies to most private sector workers engaged in interstate commerce and significantly increases penalties for violations while giving workers new tools to recover stolen wages. The bill requires employers to provide workers with written disclosures about pay rates and classifications within 15 days of hire, detailed paystubs for every pay period, and final payments within 14 days of termination. It also extends the statute of limitations for filing wage theft claims from two to four years (or three to five years for willful violations) and pauses this clock while the Department of Labor investigates complaints. Damages for wage theft violations increase substantially—up to double the unpaid wages for initial violations and triple for willful violations—and the bill adds new civil penalties ranging from $25,150 to $250,150 per employee depending on violation severity. The legislation creates a federal grant program authorizing unspecified funding through fiscal year 2030 to support nonprofit organizations, employers, and government agencies in preventing wage violations and helping workers recover back pay through community partnerships. The bill's core provisions take effect within 18 months of enactment after the Department of Labor issues implementing regulations.