Minimum Wage And Its Effect On The United States - 871 Words

House Bill 230, or the most recent bill introduced in North Carolina to increase minimum wage, was introduced by the House of Representatives on March 12, 2015. After the first version of the Bill was introduced, it was revised once. The bill was introduced because the goal of the state is to provide a minimum wage that allows for a decent and healthy life for its citizens. As the value of the American dollar continues to change, so does the average cost of living. The primary sponsors of the Bill were Representatives Farmer-Butterfield, L. Hall, Fisher, and Cunningham. The Bill states that â€Å"Employers shall pay employees wages no less than the minimum wage for all hours worked in North Carolina.† It then states that minimum wage in North†¦show more content†¦If the bill is passed, six months after it is enacted, the law will take effect. As of January 4, 2016, the bill has not yet been voted on, but has been referred to House Standing Committee, Judiciary I. If House Bill 230 were to become law, there would be consequences to enforce the breaking of these laws. Any person affected by unlawful withholding of funds will be allowed to hold a civil trial in a court of competent jurisdiction against his or her employer or other person in violation of the laws outlined in the amendment. If the accused person is found guilty, the employee will receive the full amount of back wages that have been unlawfully withheld, an amount equal to that of liquidated damages, and a reasonable sum of money to cover attorney’s fees and wages. The employee will also be entitled to legal relief which will remedy the violation, including, for example, being rehired. A person in violation of the amendment will also be subject to a $1000 fine, to be payed to the State. An official chosen by the General Assembly may also use civil action to enforce the amendment. Actions taken in order to enforce the amendment will be subject to a statute of limitation of fou r years, or, in the event that the amendment is flouted, five years. The bill states that, in order to enforce the amendment, implementing legislation is not required.