EMPLOYMENT/WAGES-MINIMUM: Provides relative to the state minimum wage (OR INCREASE GF EX See Note)

HB 353 would establish a new state minimum wage in Louisiana, starting at $12 per hour on January 1, 2027, increasing to $15 per hour on January 1, 2029, and then adjusting annually based on the regional Consumer Price Index after 2031. It requires all Louisiana employers (excluding state and university student employees) to pay at least the established rate for all hours worked. If the federal minimum wage rises above the state rate, Louisiana's rate would automatically match it. The bill also includes penalties for violations, such as fines of $500-$1,000 per employee and back pay, enforced by Louisiana Works.