Juneau -- Thursday, the Alaska Senate passed a bill making it easier for employees to collect wages illegally held by previous employers. Senate Bill 193, sponsored by Senator Drue Pearce, addresses complaints from the public regarding this practice by unethical employers.

SB 193 increases the amount of past wages that the Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DLWD) may seek on behalf of employees with small claims from $7500 to $20,000. "By allowing more of these cases to be heard in small claims, we are making it easier for employees to recover wages that are wrongfully held from them," said Pearce. "It is not feasible for a private attorney to take such a case on contingency basis when the claim is for less than $20,000, leaving the employees without representation. By raising the cap on these cases in small claims, DLWD now has the opportunity to represent these employees in seeking a just settlement."

SB 193 passed the Senate 19 - 0. A notice of reconsideration was filed.