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Sen. Kallman introduces legislation to ensure victims of wage theft in construction industry receive payment

 

STATE HOUSE — Sen. Meghan E. Kallman has introduced legislation to help victims of wage theft who work in construction to receive the payments they are owed.

“The point of this legislation is to make sure that workers who become victims of wage theft are made whole swiftly and reliably even when their direct employer doesn’t formally exist, flees or can’t pay the wages that they owe,” said Senator Kallman (D-Dist. 15, Pawtucket, Providence). “Often in the construction industry workers who become victims of wage theft have to wait far too long before receiving their claims, during which time they miss car payments, rent payments, or can’t afford groceries. Up-the-chain responsibility means that these workers can go to the general contractor for these lost wages before financial disaster strikes.”

In the construction industry, workers are often hired by a network of subcontractors, which can make it confusing and difficult to figure out the responsible party when wage theft occurs. The Industry Paycheck Recovery Act (2025-S 0069) would hold general contractors jointly civilly liable for wage theft committed by their subcontractors, ensuring that workers have a place to turn to receive their owed wages quickly.

General contractors would not be criminally liable for wage theft committed by their subcontractors, and they would be able to pursue claims against their subcontractors for the unpaid wages.

Rep. David Morales (D-Dist. 7, Providence) has introduced companion legislation (2025-H 5366) in the House.

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