H-8424

   Amend House File 2772 as follows:
   1.  Page 19, after line 15 by inserting: 
<DIVISION ___
COMMUNITY-BASED WAGE ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

   Sec. ___.  Section 91A.2, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  01.  “Community-based organization” means a legal aid or community-based nonprofit organization that has a minimum of five years’ experience working with employees or advocating on behalf of employees as well as a successful record of facilitating successful complaints that have been filed by employees with the director under section 91A.10.
   Sec. ___.  NEW SECTION.  91A.16  Community-based wage enforcement program.
   1.  The director shall establish a community-based wage enforcement program. The director shall enter into contracts with participating community-based organizations to provide funds and other resources to facilitate effective, cooperative community-based enforcement of this chapter and chapter 91D. Funds and other resources shall be used to increase the capacity and expertise of community-based organizations in order to improve the education of employees regarding the rights and remedies provided by this chapter and chapter 91D and to secure successful resolution of complaints filed with the director under section 91A.10. All education and services under this section shall be provided at no cost to employees and accessible to any employee in this state.
   2.  The program shall provide for but is not limited to all of the following services by community-based organizations:
   a.  Education for employees regarding the rights provided by this chapter and chapter 91D, which may be conducted jointly with staff of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing and other relevant agencies and organizations.
   b.  Direct assistance by a worker advocate to assist employees who seek to file a complaint under section 91A.10.
   c.  Legal assistance to employees who seek to file a complaint under section 91A.10.
   d.  Additional assistance for employees who are members of marginalized communities or who are not native English speakers.
   e.  Assistance to the director in monitoring for compliance with and conducting investigations under this chapter and chapter 91D.>
   2.  Title page, by striking lines 5 and 6 and inserting <certain regents institutions; codifying the housing renewal program; and establishing a community-based wage enforcement program.>
   3.  By renumbering as necessary.

______________________________
GOSA of Scott