SECTION 1. Sections 28-14-19 and 28-14-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 28-14 entitled "Payment of Wages" are hereby amended to read as follows:

28-14-19. Enforcement powers and duties of director of labor and training. -- (a) It is the duty of the director to insure compliance with this chapter, to investigate any violations of this chapter, to institute or cause to be instituted actions for the collection of wages and to institute action for penalties provided under this chapter. The director or his or her authorized representatives are empowered to hold hearings and he or she shall cooperate with any employee in the enforcement of a claim against his or her employer in any case whenever, in his or her opinion, the claim is just and valid.

(b) The director is authorized to supervise the payment of amounts due to employees and the employer may be required to make these payments to the director to be held in a special account in trust for the employees, and paid on order of the director directly to the employee or the employees affected. The employer shall also pay the director an administrative fee equal to twenty-five percent (25%) of any payment made directly to the employee or employees or made to the director pursuant to this section. The fee shall be deposited in the general fund.

(c) The director may institute any action to recover unpaid wages or other compensation under this chapter, including the aforementioned administrative fee, with or without the consent of the employee or employees affected.

28-14-20. Filing of claims with director. -- (a) All claims for wages due must be filed with the director within three (3) years from time of services rendered by an employee to his or her employer.

(b) A claim may be filed by a person who is required to be paid wages for his or her labor; or if a minor, by his or her parent or guardian; or by the lawful collective bargaining representative of the person; or a representative authorized in writing by the employee.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.