First Substitute H.B. 214

Representative Gerry A. Adair proposes to substitute the following bill:

1 WAGE CLAIM AMENDMENTS
2 1999 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Sponsor: Gerry A. Adair
5 AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR; AMENDING PROVISIONS RELATED TO RETALIATION
6 FOR FILING WAGE CLAIMS; AND MAKING TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
7 This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
8 AMENDS:
9 34-28-19, as last amended by Chapter 375, Laws of Utah 1997
10 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
11 Section 1. Section 34-28-19 is amended to read:
12 34-28-19. Retaliation prohibited -- Administrative process -- Enforcement --
13 Rulemaking.
14 (1) An employer violates this chapter if the employer discharges an employee, or threatens
15 to discharge an employee because:
16 (a) the employee has filed a complaint or testified in a proceeding relative to the
17 enforcement of this chapter;
18 (b) is about to file a complaint or testify in a proceeding relative to the enforcement of this
19 chapter; or
20 (c) the employer believes that the employee may file a complaint or testify in any
21 proceeding relative to the enforcement of this chapter.
22 (2) (a) An employee claiming to be aggrieved by an action of the employer in violation of
23 Subsection (1) may file with the division a request for agency action.
24 (b) On receipt of a request for agency action under Subsection (2)(a), the division:
25 (i) shall conduct an adjudicative proceeding pursuant to Title 63, Chapter 46b,

26 Administrative Procedures Act; and
27 (ii) may attempt to reach a settlement between the parties through a settlement conference.
28 [(2)] (3) If [a violation has been determined,] the division [shall: (a)] determines that a
29 violation has occurred, the division may require the employer to:
30 (a) cease and desist any retaliatory action; [and]
31 (b) [reach a resolution with the parties which shall] compensate the employee, which
32 compensation may not exceed reimbursement for, and payment of, lost wages and benefits to the
33 employee[.]; or
34 [(3) Failure to reach a resolution]
35 (c) do both (3)(a) and (b).
36 (4) The division may enforce this section in accordance with [Subsection (2) shall result
37 in a full hearing before an administrative law judge in the Division of Adjudication. The decision
38 of the administrative law judge may be appealed to the commissioner or Appeals Board in
39 accordance with Title 34A, Chapter 1, Part 3, Adjudicative Proceedings] Subsections 34-28-9 (3)
40 and (4).
41 [(4)] (5) The commission shall adopt rules, as required, to implement this section.