ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — Labor unions and worker advocates rallied at the New York State Capitol on Wednesday, demanding lawmakers pass the Empire Worker Protection Act. The bill would create a new way for workers to sue employers who steal their wages or violate labor laws.

The Empire Act, S448A/A4278A would establish a $103 million annual fund for the state Department of Labor to hire more investigators and speed up wage theft cases. In addition to affected workers, it would also let whistleblowers, unions, advocates, or labor groups sue.

On behalf of the state, they could file "public enforcement actions" in court to collect civil penalties from employers who break wage and hour laws, workplace safety rules, or child labor protections. A civil penalty of $500 per affected worker per p

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