It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 25-3-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 25-3 entitled "Work on Holidays and Sundays" is hereby amended to read as follows:

25-3-3. Work on Sundays or holidays -- (a) Work performed by employees on Sundays and holidays must be paid for at least one and one half (1 1/2) times the normal rate of pay for the work performed; provided, (1) that it shall not be grounds for discharge or other penalty upon any employee for refusing to work upon any Sunday or holiday enumerated in this section. ; (2) any manufacturer which operates for seven (7) continuous days per week shall be exempt from the requirement of subsection (1).

(b) Any manufacturer of wall-covering products which operates for seven (7) continuous days per week, twenty-four (24) hours per day, and has complied with the provisions of subsection (a) is exempt from the requirement that the work be voluntary on Sundays as provided in subsection (a); provided, that the manufacturer increases employment by at least ten percent (10%), within one year of its conversion to continuous operation from non-continuous operation.

(c) Any manufacturer that operates three (3) shifts, or begins its work week on Sundays, may begin the shift or start the work week at 11:00 P.M. on Sunday and not be required to pay its employees one and one-half (1 1/2) times the normal rate of pay during the one hour period between 11:00 P.M. Sunday and 12 midnight.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2000.