H.R. 582

Raise the Wage Act

(Sec. 3) This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to increase the federal minimum wage for regular employees over a 7-year period, for tipped employees, and for newly hired employees who are less than 20 years old.

The bill eliminates the separate minimum wage requirements for tipped and newly hired employees. After a specified period, these employees shall be paid the same minimum wage as regular employees.

(Sec. 6) The bill sets forth a schedule of annual increases in the federal minimum wage for individuals with disabilities. The Department of Labor shall no longer issue special certificates for the payment of subminimum wages to such individuals after the final wage increase under this bill for such individuals takes effect.

Labor shall provide, upon request, technical assistance and information to employers to (1) help them transition their practices to comply with wage increases and other requirements under this bill for individuals with disabilities, and (2) ensure continuing employment opportunities for such individuals.

The bill eliminates the separate minimum wage requirements for disabled employees. After a specified period, these employees shall be paid the same minimum wage as regular employees.

(Sec. 7) Labor must publish any increase in the minimum wage in the Federal Register and on its website 60 days before it takes effect.

(Sec. 8) The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must submit a report to Congress, with respect to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, that (1) assesses the status and structure of the economy of the Northern Mariana Islands, and (2) for each year in which a wage increase will take effect, estimates the proportion of employees who will be directly affected by each such increase taking effect for that year.

(Sec. 9) The GAO must also report on the impact of the first and second wage increases on business enterprises.