August/September 2019 F&B Legal Update

5 Min Read By Pooja S. Nair

Pooja S. Nair, a litigation attorney at TroyGould PC in Los Angeles, compiles recent legal news affecting the restaurant, food and beverage and hospitality industries for Modern Restaurant Management (MRM) magazine.

LegislationNew Jersey Passes Strong Wage Theft Law: On August 6, acting New Jersey Governor Sheila Oliver signed into law a new wage theft law creating strict new enforcement, penalties, and procedures for employers.  The law provides for liquidated damages for violations of wage statutes; makes it a disorderly persons offense for employers to fail to pay agreed-upon compensation within 30 days; and creates a new crime for pattern of wage non-payment that can be prosecuted by state entities.  The new law will make New Jersey one of the toughest states in the country on wage theft and delay.

Illinois Adopts Sexual Harassment Overhaul: On August 9, Ilinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed into law sweeping new rules for employers regarding sexual harassment.  This law…