Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the procedures for awarding unpaid wages and expands the conditions that authorize employee wage deductions.

Highlights:

• Requires a court to determine that an individual, firm, corporation, or association was not acting in “good faith” when they failed to pay an employee in order for the court to award liquidated damages and attorney fees to the employee (Sec. 1). 

• Expands the conditions that authorize an employer to make a deduction from the wages of an employee to include the following conditions (Sec. 2):
• For the purchase of uniforms and equipment necessary to fulfill the duties of employment limited to the lesser of $2,500 or the maximum amount currently allowed by Indiana law;
• For the reimbursement for education or employee skills training; or
• For an advance for payroll or vacation pay.

• Prohibits an interest rate that an employer charges for an amount loaned or advanced to an employee from exceeding the bank prime loan interest rate as reported by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System plus 4 percent (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits an employer from requiring an employee to pay or reimburse the employer for training as a condition for employment if the training is specific to the employee’s job with the employer (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text