S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   9012
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                             February 2, 2024
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  M.  of A. SIMON, ALVAREZ, REYES, SHRESTHA, MAMDANI, KIM,
   DINOWITZ,  GALLAGHER,  EPSTEIN,  L. ROSENTHAL,  TAYLOR,  CRUZ,  BORES,
   FORREST, CARROLL, CUNNINGHAM, BURDICK, DAVILA, LAVINE, GONZALEZ-ROJAS,
   FAHY,  SIMONE,  RAJKUMAR,  ROZIC,  DARLING, McMAHON, ARDILA, JACOBSON,
   BRONSON, JEAN-PIERRE, BURGOS, TAPIA, RAGA,  KELLES,  LUCAS,  ZINERMAN,
   MITAYNES, SHIMSKY, OTIS -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. SEAWRIGHT --
   read once and referred to the Committee on Labor
 
 AN  ACT  to amend the labor law, in relation to enacting the "Empowering
   People in Rights Enforcement (EMPIRE) Worker Protection Act"
 
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section  1.  Short  title. This act shall be known and may be cited as
 the "Empowering People in Rights Enforcement (EMPIRE) Worker  Protection
 Act".
   §  2. Legislative findings. 1. The legislature finds and declares that
 violations of the labor law are often systemic, affecting many workers.
   2. The legislature further finds and declares that despite  the  labor
 law's  strong  protections  for  workers,  limits on the availability of
 public enforcement resources have deleterious effects on the marketplace
 by allowing abuses targeting workers to persist unprosecuted. To  ensure
 the  robust enforcement of the labor law, while minimizing the outlay of
 scarce state funds, this act allows private individuals, labor organiza-
 tions, and labor organizations deputized by the state  to  bring  public
 enforcement actions in certain contexts in which the state does not have
 the means to fully enforce labor law protections.
   3.  The legislature further finds and declares that the purpose of the
 EMPIRE Worker Protection Act is to create a means of empowering citizens
 as private attorneys general to enforce the New York labor law.
   4. The legislature further finds and declares that the purpose of  the
 EMPIRE  Worker  Protection  Act  is  to  incentivize  private parties to
 recover civil penalties for the government that otherwise may  not  have
 been  assessed and collected by overburdened state enforcement agencies.
 When the New York labor law is effectively  enforced,  it  protects  the
 interests  of  all  New  Yorkers and the state of New York.  Such public
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
              

                                                            LBD02068-07-4
 A. 9012                             2
 
 enforcement  actions  are  an  efficient  mechanism  to  limit  systemic
 violations, will enforce the rights of more workers, and can benefit the
 department of labor with enhanced resources.
   5.  The legislature further finds and declares that the purpose of the
 EMPIRE Worker Protection Act is to benefit those employers who are oper-
 ating within the labor law, and who, as a result, face  unfair  competi-
 tion from individuals and entities shirking the labor law.
   6.  The legislature further finds and declares that the purpose of the
 EMPIRE Worker Protection Act is to deter employers from  stealing  wages
 or  committing  other violations of the New York labor law and raise the
 cost of noncompliance with the New York labor law.
   7. The legislature further finds and declares that the purpose of  the
 EMPIRE  Worker  Protection  Act is to incentivize labor organizations to
 aid working people to report violations of the New York labor law.
   8. The legislature further finds and declares that the purpose of  the
 EMPIRE  Worker  Protection Act is to facilitate whistleblowers suffering
 from violations of the New York labor law to report abuses without  fear
 of retaliation and intimidation.
   9.  The  legislature further finds and declares that the EMPIRE Worker
 Protection Act is part of a history both in New York state  and  in  the
 United  States  of  laws  enabling  private  citizens  to  aid in public
 enforcement. In similar qui tam legislation enabling private citizens to
 aid in public enforcement, the resulting action is a public  enforcement
 action.
   §  3.  The  labor law is amended by adding a new article 36 to read as
 follows:
                                ARTICLE 36
  EMPOWERING PEOPLE IN RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT (EMPIRE) WORKER PROTECTION ACT
 SECTION 1020. DEFINITIONS.
         1021. PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
         1022. PROCEDURE.
         1023. NON-APPLICATION.
   § 1020. DEFINITIONS. WHENEVER USED IN THIS ARTICLE:
   1. "AFFECTED EMPLOYEE" MEANS ANY EMPLOYEE AS DEFINED BY SECTION TWO OF
 THIS CHAPTER WHO WAS EMPLOYED  BY  THE  ALLEGED  VIOLATOR  EMPLOYER  AND
 AGAINST WHOM ONE OF THE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS WAS COMMITTED, OR WAS ALLEGED
 TO HAVE BEEN COMMITTED, AS WELL AS ANY PERSON WHO IS NOT CLASSIFIED BY A
 BUSINESS  AS  AN  EMPLOYEE  BUT  WHO  CLAIMS TO BE AN EMPLOYEE AND WHOSE
 CLAIMS AGAINST THE PURPORTED EMPLOYER RELATE TO THIS ALLEGED  MISCLASSI-
 FICATION, WHETHER OR NOT THAT PERSON HAS RECEIVED FULL OR PARTIAL RELIEF
 FROM HARM.
   2.  "RELATOR" MEANS AN AFFECTED EMPLOYEE, A WHISTLEBLOWER, A REPRESEN-
 TATIVE ORGANIZATION, OR AN ORGANIZATIONAL DEPUTY THAT ACTS AS  A  PLAIN-
 TIFF IN A PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION UNDER THIS CHAPTER.
   3.  "WHISTLEBLOWER"  MEANS ANY CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEE, CONTRACTOR,
 SUBCONTRACTOR, OR EMPLOYEE OF  A  CONTRACTOR  OR  SUBCONTRACTOR  OF  THE
 DEFENDANT  WITH  KNOWLEDGE OF THE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS THAT IS INDEPENDENT
 OF AND MATERIALLY ADDS TO ANY PUBLICLY DISCLOSED INFORMATION  ABOUT  THE
 ALLEGED  VIOLATIONS. WHISTLEBLOWERS ARE NOT ALSO "AFFECTED EMPLOYEES" IF
 THEY DO NOT SEEK CIVIL PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS THAT PERSONALLY AFFECTED
 THEM IN A PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION UNDER THIS CHAPTER.
   4. "EMPLOYER" MEANS ANY EMPLOYER AS DEFINED BY  SECTION  TWO  OF  THIS
 CHAPTER.  THE TERM "EMPLOYER" SHALL NOT INCLUDE A GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
   5. "REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATION" MEANS A LABOR ORGANIZATION AS DEFINED
 BY  SUBSECTION  (G)  OF  SECTION  FOUR  THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED TWO OF THE
 INSURANCE LAW AND WHICH HAS BEEN SELECTED BY  AN  AFFECTED  EMPLOYEE  OR
 A. 9012                             3
 
 WHISTLEBLOWER  TO  INITIATE  A PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION ON THE AFFECTED
 EMPLOYEE'S OR WHISTLEBLOWER'S BEHALF, IN WRITTEN NOTICE IN SUCH A MANNER
 AS THE COMMISSIONER MAY PRESCRIBE BY REGULATION. WHERE A  REPRESENTATIVE
 ORGANIZATION  IS  DESIGNATED  AS  THE  RELATOR, THE AFFECTED EMPLOYEE OR
 WHISTLEBLOWER MAY ELECT TO HAVE  THEIR  NAME  AND  PERSONAL  IDENTIFYING
 INFORMATION  BE  KEPT  CONFIDENTIAL  UNTIL  THE  RELATOR,  IN  ITS  SOLE
 DISCRETION, DEEMS SHARING SUCH INFORMATION IS  NECESSARY  TO  ESTABLISH,
 LITIGATE, MEDIATE, SETTLE, OR OTHERWISE PURSUE THE CLAIM.
   6.  "PUBLIC  ENFORCEMENT  ACTION"  MEANS  AN ACTION BROUGHT UNDER THIS
 ARTICLE INTENDED TO ENFORCE THIS CHAPTER'S  PROTECTIONS  ENFORCEABLE  BY
 THE  COMMISSIONER.    NOTHING  IN  THIS  ARTICLE SHALL BE INTERPRETED TO
 PERMIT A PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST A GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY.
   7. "COMMISSIONER" SHALL, FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, INCLUDE THE
 COMMISSIONER, AND ANY  DIVISION,  BOARD,  COMMISSION,  OR  PART  OF  THE
 DEPARTMENT  AUTHORIZED TO IMPOSE OR SEEK PENALTIES OR OTHER REMEDIES FOR
 VIOLATIONS OF THIS CHAPTER.
   8. "VIOLATION" MEANS AN  EMPLOYER'S  NONCOMPLIANCE  WITH  ANY  OF  THE
 REQUIREMENTS  OF  THE  FOLLOWING ARTICLES OF THIS CHAPTER AND WITH REGU-
 LATIONS AND WAGE ORDERS PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSIONER IN  IMPLEMENTING
 SUCH ARTICLES:
   A.  ARTICLE  SIX EXCEPT SECTIONS ONE HUNDRED NINETY, ONE HUNDRED NINE-
 TY-ONE-A, ONE HUNDRED NINETY-SIX, ONE HUNDRED NINETY-SIX-A, ONE  HUNDRED
 NINETY-EIGHT-A, ONE HUNDRED NINETY-NINE, AND ONE HUNDRED NINETY-NINE-A;
   B.  ARTICLE  NINETEEN  EXCEPT  SECTIONS SIX HUNDRED FIFTY, SIX HUNDRED
 FIFTY-ONE, SIX  HUNDRED  FIFTY-THREE  THROUGH  SIX  HUNDRED  SIXTY,  SIX
 HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO, AND SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE;
   C.  SECTIONS  ONE  HUNDRED  SIXTY,  ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE, ONE HUNDRED
 SIXTY-TWO, ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE-A, ONE HUNDRED SIXTY-SEVEN,  AND  ONE
 HUNDRED SEVENTY OF ARTICLE FIVE;
   D.  ARTICLE NINETEEN-A EXCEPT SECTIONS SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY THROUGH SIX
 HUNDRED SEVENTY-TWO, SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY-FOUR THROUGH SIX HUNDRED SEVEN-
 TY-EIGHT, SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY, AND SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE;
   E. ARTICLE NINETEEN-B EXCEPT SECTIONS SIX HUNDRED NINETY, SIX  HUNDRED
 NINETY-THREE, AND SIX HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR;
   F.  ARTICLE NINE EXCEPT SECTIONS TWO HUNDRED THIRTY, TWO HUNDRED THIR-
 TY-FOUR THROUGH TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-SIX, AND TWO HUNDRED THIRTY-EIGHT;
   G. ARTICLE TWENTY-FIVE-A EXCEPT SECTIONS EIGHT  HUNDRED  SIXTY,  EIGHT
 HUNDRED  SIXTY-A,  EIGHT  HUNDRED SIXTY-C THROUGH EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY-F,
 AND EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY-I;
   H. ARTICLE  TWENTY-FIVE-B  EXCEPT  SECTIONS  EIGHT  HUNDRED  SIXTY-ONE
 THROUGH EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE-B;
   I.  ARTICLE  TWENTY-FIVE-C EXCEPT SECTIONS EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO AND
 EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO-A;
   J. ARTICLE EIGHT EXCEPT SECTIONS  TWO  HUNDRED  TWENTY-E  THROUGH  TWO
 HUNDRED  TWENTY-FOUR, TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-FOUR-B, AND TWO HUNDRED TWENTY-
 FOUR-C;
   K. ARTICLE TWENTY-C;
   L. SECTIONS TWO HUNDRED, TWO HUNDRED ONE-G,  TWO  HUNDRED  SIX-C,  TWO
 HUNDRED FIFTEEN, AND TWO HUNDRED EIGHTEEN-B OF ARTICLE SEVEN; AND
   M. SECTION TWENTY-SEVEN-D OF ARTICLE TWO.
   9.  "ORGANIZATIONAL  DEPUTY"  MEANS A LABOR ORGANIZATION AS DEFINED BY
 SUBSECTION  (G)  OF  SECTION  FOUR   THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED  TWO  OF  THE
 INSURANCE  LAW THAT HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTOR-
 NEY GENERAL TO REPRESENT THE STATE AS THE RELATOR IN THE PUBLIC ENFORCE-
 MENT ACTION.  THE  COMMISSIONER  OR  THE  ATTORNEY  GENERAL  SHALL  HAVE
 A. 9012                             4
 
 COMPLETE  DISCRETION  TO DETERMINE WHAT LABOR ORGANIZATIONS MAY SERVE AS
 THEIR ORGANIZATIONAL DEPUTY IN A PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
   §  1021. PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION. 1. A RELATOR MAY INITIATE A PUBLIC
 ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO COLLECT CIVIL PENALTIES ON BEHALF OF  THE  COMMIS-
 SIONER  FOR  A  VIOLATION  IMPACTING  AFFECTED EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO THE
 PROCEDURES SPECIFIED IN SECTION ONE THOUSAND TWENTY-TWO OF THIS ARTICLE.
 A RELATOR MAY ALLEGE MULTIPLE VIOLATIONS THAT  HAVE  AFFECTED  DIFFERENT
 EMPLOYEES  AND MAY SEEK INJUNCTIVE AND DECLARATORY RELIEF THAT THE STATE
 WOULD BE ENTITLED TO SEEK.
   2. A. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS  SECTION,  WHENEVER  THE  COMMISSIONER  HAS
 DISCRETION  TO ASSESS A CIVIL PENALTY, A COURT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE
 THE SAME DISCRETION TO ASSESS A CIVIL PENALTY. TO THE  EXTENT  THAT  THE
 COMMISSIONER  IS AUTHORIZED TO DETERMINE THAT AN EMPLOYER HAS VIOLATED A
 PROVISION OF THIS CHAPTER OR REGULATION  PROMULGATED  THEREUNDER,  IN  A
 PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION, A COURT SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO DETERMINE THAT
 AN EMPLOYER HAS COMMITTED SUCH A VIOLATION.
   B. FOR ANY VIOLATION DEFINED IN THIS ARTICLE, EXCEPT THOSE FOR WHICH A
 CIVIL  PENALTY  IS  SPECIFICALLY  PROVIDED, THERE IS ESTABLISHED A CIVIL
 PENALTY OF FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR EACH AFFECTED EMPLOYEE PER PAY PERI-
 OD PER VIOLATION. A COURT MAY NOT AWARD A LESSER AMOUNT,  UNLESS,  BASED
 ON  THE  FACTS  AND  CIRCUMSTANCES  OF THE PARTICULAR CASE, THE EMPLOYER
 DEMONSTRATES THAT TO DO OTHERWISE WOULD  RESULT  IN  AN  AWARD  THAT  IS
 UNJUST, ARBITRARY AND OPPRESSIVE, OR CONFISCATORY.
   C.  IN  ANY CIVIL ACTION COMMENCED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE, THE COURT
 SHALL ALLOW A PREVAILING RELATOR TO RECOVER  ALL  REASONABLE  ATTORNEYS'
 FEES,  EXPERT FEES AND OTHER COSTS.  THE COURT MAY ALSO ALLOW A PREVAIL-
 ING RELATOR TO RECOVER ALL REASONABLE ANCILLARY  COSTS  ASSOCIATED  WITH
 SERVING  AS  A  RELATOR.    FOR  THE  PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, THE TERM
 "PREVAILING" INCLUDES A RELATOR WHOSE  COMMENCEMENT  OF  LITIGATION  HAS
 ACTED  AS  A CATALYST TO EFFECT POLICY CHANGE ON THE PART OF THE DEFEND-
 ANT, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THAT CHANGE HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED VOLUNTARILY,
 AS A RESULT OF A SETTLEMENT OR  AS  A  RESULT  OF  A  JUDGMENT  IN  SUCH
 RELATOR'S FAVOR.
   D.  NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL OPERATE TO LIMIT AN AFFECTED EMPLOY-
 EE'S RIGHT TO PURSUE OR RECOVER OTHER REMEDIES AVAILABLE UNDER STATE  OR
 FEDERAL  LAW,  EITHER  SEPARATELY  OR  CONCURRENTLY WITH AN ACTION TAKEN
 UNDER THIS SECTION.
   E. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL OPERATE TO LIMIT  THE  COMMISSIONER'S
 OR  THE  ATTORNEY GENERAL'S RIGHT TO SEEK RESTITUTION AND DAMAGES, WHERE
 AVAILABLE, FOR AFFECTED EMPLOYEES IN CONJUNCTION WITH A PUBLIC  ENFORCE-
 MENT ACTION IN WHICH IT HAS INTERVENED.
   3.  A.   CIVIL PENALTIES RECOVERED IN PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS SHALL
 BE DISTRIBUTED AS FOLLOWS:   WHERE  THE  COMMISSIONER  OR  THE  ATTORNEY
 GENERAL  HAS  NOT  INTERVENED, OR WHERE THE COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTORNEY
 GENERAL HAS APPOINTED AN ORGANIZATIONAL DEPUTY TO PROCEED AS  THE  RELA-
 TOR, FORTY PERCENT TO THE RELATOR; AND SIXTY PERCENT TO THE COMMISSIONER
 FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CHAPTER AND EDUCATION OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES
 ABOUT  THEIR  RIGHTS  AND  RESPONSIBILITIES  UNDER  THIS  CHAPTER, TO BE
 CONTINUOUSLY APPROPRIATED TO SUPPLEMENT AND NOT SUPPLANT THE FUNDING  TO
 THE  AGENCY  FOR  THOSE PURPOSES; WHERE THE COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTORNEY
 GENERAL HAS INTERVENED, THIRTY  PERCENT  TO  THE  RELATOR;  AND  SEVENTY
 PERCENT  TO  THE COMMISSIONER FOR ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CHAPTER AND EDUCA-
 TION OF EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS AND  RESPONSIBILITIES
 UNDER  THIS  CHAPTER,  TO BE CONTINUOUSLY APPROPRIATED TO SUPPLEMENT AND
 NOT SUPPLANT THE FUNDING TO THE AGENCY FOR THOSE PURPOSES.
 A. 9012                             5
 
   B. THE RELATOR SHALL EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTE THE SHARE OF  PENALTIES  DUE
 THE  RELATOR  AMONG  AFFECTED EMPLOYEES.   IF THE RELATOR IS AN AFFECTED
 EMPLOYEE OR WHISTLEBLOWER, THEY SHALL ALSO  BE  ENTITLED  TO  RECOVER  A
 SERVICE AWARD FROM THE PENALTIES RECOVERED, IF THEY PREVAIL IN ACHIEVING
 RELIEF,  IN WHOLE OR IN PART, FOR VIOLATIONS THAT AFFECTED OTHER EMPLOY-
 EES. THE SERVICE AWARD SHALL BE NOT LESS THAN FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS  AND
 NOT  MORE  THAN  TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS, UNLESS THE AMOUNT RECOVERED AS
 CIVIL PENALTIES IS LESS THAN TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.  THE  COURT  SHALL
 DETERMINE  THE  SERVICE AWARD BY TAKING DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE BURDENS
 AND RISKS ASSUMED BY THE RELATOR IN PROSECUTING THE ACTION. IF THE RELA-
 TOR  IS  A  REPRESENTATIVE  ORGANIZATION  OR  AN  ORGANIZATIONAL  DEPUTY
 APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, IT SHALL DISTRIB-
 UTE  ALL  RECOVERED  PENALTIES  TO  AFFECTED  EMPLOYEES  BUT MAY RECOVER
 REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS INCURRED IN PROSECUTING THE  ACTION
 AND  ANCILLARY  COSTS  ASSOCIATED WITH SERVING AS A RELATOR. THE RELATOR
 SHALL SUBMIT A DISTRIBUTION SUMMARY TO THE COMMISSIONER AND THE ATTORNEY
 GENERAL.
   4. THE RIGHT TO BRING A PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION UNDER  THIS  ARTICLE
 SHALL  NOT BE SUBJECT TO PRIVATE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN AN AFFECTED EMPLOYEE
 AND AN EMPLOYER OR ALLEGED EMPLOYER, UNLESS SUCH AGREEMENTS ARE  COLLEC-
 TIVELY  BARGAINED  AND THE BARGAINING AGREEMENT PROVIDES A FORUM FOR THE
 ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS AND  REMEDIES  OTHERWISE  ENFORCEABLE  UNDER  THIS
 ARTICLE.    THE  RIGHT TO REPRESENT THE STATE WITH RESPECT TO VIOLATIONS
 AFFECTING OTHER WORKERS SHALL NOT  BE  WAIVABLE  BY  PRIVATE  AGREEMENT,
 UNLESS  SUCH AGREEMENTS ARE  COLLECTIVELY  BARGAINED  AND THE BARGAINING
 AGREEMENT PROVIDES A FORUM FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS AND    REMEDIES
 OTHERWISE ENFORCEABLE  UNDER  THIS ARTICLE, INCLUDING AN AWARD OF PENAL-
 TIES AUTHORIZED BY THIS ARTICLE.
   5.  NOTWITHSTANDING  ANY  OTHER PROVISION OF LAW, A PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT
 ACTION TO RECOVER UPON  A  PENALTY  IMPOSED  BY  THIS  ARTICLE  MUST  BE
 COMMENCED  WITHIN  SIX YEARS.  THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR BRINGING A
 PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION UNDER THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE  TOLLED  FROM  THE
 DATE  A  RELATOR FILES A NOTICE PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE THOUSAND TWENTY-
 TWO OF THIS ARTICLE WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND THE ATTORNEY  GENERAL,  OR
 THE  COMMISSIONER  OR  THE  ATTORNEY GENERAL COMMENCES AN INVESTIGATION,
 WHICHEVER IS EARLIER.
   6. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ESTABLISH A DATABASE OF  PUBLIC  ENFORCEMENT
 NOTICES  SUBMITTED  PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE, INCLUDING THE PARTIES, THE
 DISPOSITION AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION WHICH THE  COMMISSIONER  SHALL  BY
 REGULATION  PRESCRIBE  AND  SHALL  MAKE  SUCH  DATABASE AVAILABLE TO THE
 PUBLIC ONLINE. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL ALSO PUBLISH AN ANNUAL  REPORT  OF
 TOTAL PENALTIES RECOVERED UNDER THIS CHAPTER.
   7.  A.  NO EMPLOYER OR HIS OR HER AGENT, EMPLOYEE, CONTRACTOR, SUBCON-
 TRACTOR OR THE OFFICER OR AGENT  OF  ANY  CORPORATION,  PARTNERSHIP,  OR
 LIMITED  LIABILITY COMPANY, OR ANY OTHER PERSON SHALL DISCHARGE, DEMOTE,
 SUSPEND, THREATEN, HARASS, OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER  DISCRIMINATE  AGAINST
 ANY PERSON BECAUSE OF ANY LAWFUL ACT DONE BECAUSE:
   (I)  THE  RELATOR OR POTENTIAL RELATOR BROUGHT OR IS PERCEIVED TO HAVE
 BROUGHT A PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION;
   (II) THE RELATOR OR POTENTIAL RELATOR HAS PROVIDED INFORMATION, CAUSED
 INFORMATION TO BE PROVIDED, OR OTHERWISE ASSISTED IN A  PUBLIC  ENFORCE-
 MENT  ACTION  OR  PROVIDED  INFORMATION,  OR  CAUSED  INFORMATION  TO BE
 PROVIDED TO A PERSON WITH SUPERVISORY  AUTHORITY  OVER  THE  RELATOR  OR
 POTENTIAL  RELATOR REGARDING CONDUCT THAT THE RELATOR OR POTENTIAL RELA-
 TOR REASONABLY BELIEVES CONSTITUTES A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION; OR
 A. 9012                             6
 
   (III) THE PERSON BELIEVES THAT THE RELATOR OR  POTENTIAL  RELATOR  MAY
 BRING A PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION OR COOPERATE WITH ONE.
   B.  ANY  PERSON  AFFECTED  BY  A VIOLATION OF THIS SUBDIVISION, OR ANY
 AFFECTED EMPLOYEE, WHISTLEBLOWER, REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATION, ORGANIZA-
 TIONAL DEPUTY, OR THE COMMISSIONER, OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY BRING  A
 PUBLIC  ENFORCEMENT ACTION FOR ALL APPROPRIATE RELIEF, INCLUDING ENJOIN-
 ING THE CONDUCT OF ANY PERSON OR EMPLOYER;  ORDERING  PAYMENT  OF  CIVIL
 PENALTIES  AS  PROVIDED  BY SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER,
 COSTS AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES TO THE EMPLOYEE BY  THE  PERSON  OR
 ENTITY  IN VIOLATION; AND, WHERE THE PERSON OR ENTITY IN VIOLATION IS AN
 EMPLOYER, ORDERING REHIRING OR REINSTATEMENT OF THE EMPLOYEE TO  HIS  OR
 HER  FORMER  POSITION WITH RESTORATION OF SENIORITY. ANY PERSON AFFECTED
 BY A VIOLATION OF THIS SUBDIVISION MAY ALSO BRING A CIVIL  ACTION  IN  A
 COURT  OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION AGAINST ANY EMPLOYER OR PERSONS ALLEGED
 TO HAVE VIOLATED THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBDIVISION PURSUANT TO SUBDIVI-
 SION TWO OF SECTION TWO HUNDRED FIFTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER.
   C. THERE SHALL BE A REBUTTABLE PRESUMPTION THAT  ANY  ADVERSE  ACTIONS
 TAKEN AGAINST A RELATOR WITHIN ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS AFTER THE RELATOR
 HAS  FILED  AN ACTION UNDER THIS CHAPTER IS RETALIATORY. NOTHING IN THIS
 SUBDIVISION SHALL BE INTERPRETED TO PROHIBIT AN INFERENCE OF RETALIATORY
 MOTIVE AFTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS AFTER  THE  RELATOR  HAS  FILED  AN
 ACTION UNDER THIS CHAPTER.
   § 1022. PROCEDURE. 1. NO PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION BY A RELATOR PURSU-
 ANT TO SECTION ONE THOUSAND TWENTY-ONE OF THIS ARTICLE MAY BE COMMENCED:
   A.  PRIOR  TO  SIXTY  DAYS  AFTER WRITTEN NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN BY THE
 RELATOR TO THE COMMISSIONER AND TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.    THE  RELATOR
 SHALL  SUBMIT  A FILING FEE OF SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS TO THE COMMISSIONER,
 AND THE TIME PERIODS IN THIS SECTION SHALL BEGIN WHEN NOTICE AND  FILING
 FEE HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED. THE FEES REQUIRED BY THIS PARAGRAPH ARE SUBJECT
 TO  WAIVER IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULES PROMULGATED BY THE COMMISSIONER. THE
 WRITTEN NOTICE SHALL BE GIVEN IN SUCH A MANNER AS THE  COMMISSIONER  MAY
 PRESCRIBE  BY REGULATION, SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN A LIGHT FAVORABLE TO THE
 RELATOR, AND SHALL INCLUDE:
   (I) THE NAME, ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE EMPLOYER.
   (II) THE NAME,  ADDRESS,  AND  CONTACT  INFORMATION  OF  THE  AFFECTED
 EMPLOYEE OR WHISTLEBLOWER.
   (III)  IF  THE ACTION IS BROUGHT BY A REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATION, THE
 NAME, ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF  THE  REPRESENTATIVE  ORGANIZA-
 TION,  ITS  QUALIFICATION AS A REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATION AS DEFINED IN
 THIS CHAPTER, AND THE  FORM  ON  WHICH  THE  WHISTLEBLOWER  OR  AFFECTED
 EMPLOYEE HAS DESIGNATED THE REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATION.
   (IV)  IF THE ACTION IS BROUGHT BY AN AFFECTED EMPLOYEE OR WHISTLEBLOW-
 ER, THE NAME, ADDRESS, AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF ANY LABOR ORGANIZATION
 THAT HAS ASSISTED WITH THE FILING OF THE WRITTEN NOTICE, AND  WHO  WOULD
 BE  AVAILABLE  TO  SERVE  AS  AN ORGANIZATIONAL DEPUTY SHOULD THEY BE SO
 APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
   (V) THE NAME, ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFORMATION OF THE  RELATOR'S  LEGAL
 COUNSEL, SHOULD ONE EXIST.
   (VI) A STATEMENT OF THE UNDERLYING CLAIM.
   (VII)  IF THE RELATOR IS A "WHISTLEBLOWER", THE RELATOR'S KNOWLEDGE OF
 THE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS THAT IS INDEPENDENT OF  AND  MATERIALLY  ADDS  TO
 PUBLICLY DISCLOSED INFORMATION.
   (VIII)  AFTER  SEARCHING THE DATABASE ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVI-
 SION SIX OF SECTION ONE THOUSAND TWENTY-ONE OF THIS ARTICLE FOR  NOTICES
 ALLEGING THE SAME FACTS AND LEGAL THEORIES, A SUMMARY OF SUCH NOTICES OR
 STATEMENT  THAT NO SUCH NOTICES EXIST, PROVIDED THAT A NOTICE FILED BY A
 A. 9012                             7
 
 PRO SE LITIGANT MAY NOT BE  REJECTED  FOR  FAILURE  TO  CONDUCT  SUCH  A
 SEARCH.
   B.  IF  THE COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO
 THE END OF THE SIXTY-DAY NOTICE PERIOD PRESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A OF THIS
 SUBDIVISION OR PRIOR TO COMMENCEMENT OF SUCH ACTION, WHICHEVER IS LATER,
 AND  UPON  WRITTEN  NOTICE  TO  THE  RELATOR  WHO  PROVIDED  THE  NOTICE
 PRESCRIBED  IN  PARAGRAPH  A  OF  THIS SUBDIVISION, HAS COMMENCED AND IS
 ACTIVELY PROSECUTING AN ADMINISTRATIVE ENFORCEMENT  PROCEEDING  PURSUANT
 TO THIS CHAPTER RELATIVE TO THE ALLEGED VIOLATION.
   C.  IF THE COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, ON THE SAME FACTS AND
 THEORIES, CITES A PERSON WITHIN THE TIMEFRAMES SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION
 FOR A VIOLATION OF THE SAME SECTION OR SECTIONS OF  THIS  CHAPTER  UNDER
 WHICH  THE RELATOR IS ATTEMPTING TO RECOVER A CIVIL PENALTY OR REMEDY ON
 BEHALF OF HIMSELF OR HERSELF OR OTHERS.
   D. IF THE VIOLATION IS OF A POSTING OR AGENCY REPORTING REQUIREMENT OR
 AGENCY FILING REQUIREMENT, EXCEPT WHERE THE FILING OR REPORTING REQUIRE-
 MENT INVOLVES MANDATORY PAYROLL OR INJURY REPORTING.
   E. IF THE VIOLATION IS FOR MINOR  VARIATIONS  IN  THE  LEGAL  NAME  OR
 ADDRESS  OF  THE  EMPLOYER  IN  A WAGE STATEMENT OR WAGE NOTICE REQUIRED
 UNDER ARTICLE SIX OF THIS CHAPTER, PROVIDED THAT THE VARIATIONS  DO  NOT
 IMPAIR A WORKER'S ABILITY TO PROMPTLY AND EASILY IDENTIFY THE EMPLOYER.
   2.  THE  COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY, AFTER RECEIVING THE
 NOTICE, APPOINT AN ORGANIZATIONAL DEPUTY FOR  THE  COMMISSIONER  OR  THE
 ATTORNEY  GENERAL  (BASED  ON WHO MAKES THE APPOINTMENT) TO SERVE AS THE
 RELATOR, INSTEAD OF THE PERSON WHO FILED THE NOTICE. THAT ORGANIZATIONAL
 DEPUTY MAY THEN PROCEED WITH THE PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION ON BEHALF  OF
 THE  STATE. IF THE COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS APPOINTED AN
 ORGANIZATIONAL DEPUTY AS THE RELATOR, THAT ORGANIZATIONAL  DEPUTY  SHALL
 SERVE  AS  THE  RELATOR  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  ALL  THE OTHER PROCEDURES
 OUTLINED IN THIS ARTICLE. THE  DECISION  TO  APPOINT  AN  ORGANIZATIONAL
 DEPUTY  SHALL  NOT  BE  CONSTRUED  AS THE COMMISSIONER'S OR THE ATTORNEY
 GENERAL'S DIRECT INTERVENING IN THE PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
   3. THE COMMISSIONER OR THE  ATTORNEY  GENERAL  MAY  INTERVENE  IN  THE
 PUBLIC  ENFORCEMENT  ACTION  AND  PROCEED WITH ANY AND ALL CLAIMS IN THE
 ACTION:
   A. AS OF RIGHT WITHIN THE SIXTY-DAY NOTICE PERIOD PRESCRIBED IN  PARA-
 GRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION;
   B. FOR GOOD CAUSE, AS DETERMINED BY THE COURT, AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF
 THE SIXTY-DAY NOTICE PERIOD PRESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION ONE
 OF THIS SECTION; OR
   C.  IF  A  PREVIOUS RELATOR BECOMES UNAVAILABLE TO CONTINUE THE PUBLIC
 ENFORCEMENT ACTION, BY  APPOINTING  AN  ORGANIZATIONAL  DEPUTY  FOR  THE
 COMMISSIONER  OR  THE  ATTORNEY GENERAL (BASED ON WHO MAKES THE APPOINT-
 MENT) TO PROCEED WITH THE PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION  ON  BEHALF  OF  THE
 STATE.  IF  THE COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS SO APPOINTED AN
 ORGANIZATIONAL DEPUTY, THE ORGANIZATIONAL  DEPUTY  SHALL  SERVE  AS  THE
 RELATOR  IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH  ALL THE OTHER PROCEDURES OUTLINED IN THIS
 ARTICLE. THE DECISION TO APPOINT AN ORGANIZATIONAL DEPUTY SHALL  NOT  BE
 CONSTRUED AS THE COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DIRECTLY INTERVEN-
 ING IN THE PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION.
   4.  IF  THE  COMMISSIONER  OR  THE  ATTORNEY  GENERAL INTERVENES IN AN
 ACTION, HE OR SHE MAY TAKE PRIMARY  RESPONSIBILITY  FOR  LITIGATING  THE
 ACTION  AND  SHALL  NOT  BE  BOUND BY AN ACT OF THE RELATOR BRINGING THE
 ACTION. IN SUCH CASES, THE RELATOR SHALL REMAIN A PARTY TO  THE  ACTION.
 THE  COMMISSIONER  OR  THE  ATTORNEY  GENERAL  MAY ALSO INTERVENE IN THE
 ACTION FOR THE LIMITED PURPOSE OF FILING  A  STATEMENT  OF  INTEREST  OR
 A. 9012                             8
 
 OTHERWISE  ADVANCING THE STATE'S VIEW ABOUT LEGAL ISSUES AT STAKE IN THE
 ACTION. IF THE COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS  INTERVENED  FOR
 THE  PURPOSE OF TAKING PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR LITIGATING THE ACTION,
 THE  COMMISSIONER  OR  ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY DISMISS OR SETTLE THE ACTION
 AFTER THE RELATOR HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FILING OF THE MOTION AND  HAS
 BEEN  PROVIDED WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD, AND THE COURT DETERMINES
 THAT SUCH DISMISSAL OR SETTLEMENT IS FAIR, ADEQUATE, REASONABLE, AND  IN
 THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
   5.  EITHER  THE  COMMISSIONER,  THE  ATTORNEY GENERAL, OR A FEDERAL OR
 STATE COURT OF COMPETENT  JURISDICTION  SHALL  REVIEW  AND  APPROVE  ANY
 SETTLEMENT  OF ANY CIVIL ACTION FILED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE OR OF ANY
 CLAIM FOR WHICH A RELATOR HAS PROVIDED NOTICE PURSUANT TO THIS  SECTION.
 THE  COMMISSIONER,  THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, OR THE COURT SHALL APPROVE THE
 SETTLEMENT IF IT IS FAIR, REASONABLE AND ADEQUATE, IN LIGHT OF THE STAT-
 UTORY PURPOSE OF THE PROVISION OF THIS  CHAPTER  ALLEGED  TO  HAVE  BEEN
 VIOLATED AND THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE.
   6.  A.  THE RELATOR SHALL, WITHIN TEN DAYS FOLLOWING COMMENCEMENT OF A
 CIVIL ACTION PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE, PROVIDE THE COMMISSIONER AND  THE
 ATTORNEY GENERAL WITH A FILE-STAMPED COPY OF THE COMPLAINT THAT INCLUDES
 THE CASE NUMBER ASSIGNED BY THE COURT.
   B.  IF THE COMMISSIONER OR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SO REQUESTS, HE OR SHE
 SHALL  BE  SERVED WITH COPIES OF PLEADINGS FILED IN THE ACTION AND SHALL
 BE SUPPLIED WITH COPIES OF ALL DEPOSITION TRANSCRIPTS. THE  COMMISSIONER
 OR  THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL BEAR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SERVICE OF
 SUCH PLEADINGS AND DEPOSITIONS IF THERE ARE SUCH COSTS.
   C. A COPY OF THE COURT'S JUDGMENT IN ANY CIVIL ACTION  FILED  PURSUANT
 TO  THIS ARTICLE AND ANY OTHER ORDER IN THAT ACTION THAT EITHER PROVIDES
 FOR OR DENIES AN AWARD OF CIVIL PENALTIES UNDER THIS  ARTICLE  SHALL  BE
 SUBMITTED  TO  THE COMMISSIONER AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WITHIN TEN DAYS
 AFTER ENTRY OF THE JUDGMENT OR ORDER.
   D. ITEMS REQUIRED TO BE  SUBMITTED  TO  THE  COMMISSIONER  UNDER  THIS
 SUBDIVISION  SHALL  BE  TRANSMITTED IN SUCH A MANNER AS THE COMMISSIONER
 SHALL PRESCRIBE FOR THE FILING OF NOTICES UNDER PARAGRAPH A OF  SUBDIVI-
 SION ONE OF THIS SECTION.
   7.  SUCH REGULATIONS PRESCRIBED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH A OF SUBDIVISION
 ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL PROVIDE  FOR  THE  RIGHT  OF  THE  RELATOR  TO
 FURNISH  AN  AMENDED NOTICE, AFTER THE NOTICE BY THE COMMISSIONER TO THE
 RELATOR THAT THE ORIGINAL NOTICE WAS NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SECTION
 OR THE REGULATIONS ISSUED THEREUNDER AND SPECIFYING  WITH  PARTICULARITY
 WHAT  THE  DEFICIENCIES  WERE  IN  THE  ORIGINAL NOTICE. SUCH NOTICE AND
 OPPORTUNITY TO AMEND SHALL BE PROVIDED BY THE COMMISSIONER WITHIN  SIXTY
 DAYS  OF  THE  ORIGINAL NOTICE OR THE ORIGINAL NOTICE SHALL BE DEEMED IN
 COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SECTION.  THE RELATOR SHALL HAVE THIRTY  DAYS  FROM
 RECEIVING  NOTICE  FROM  THE COMMISSIONER THAT THEIR ORIGINAL NOTICE WAS
 NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SECTION TO AMEND THE NOTICE.
   8. A PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION SHALL BE TRIED PROMPTLY, WITHOUT REGARD
 TO CONCURRENT ADJUDICATION OF PRIVATE CLAIMS, INCLUDING  WITHOUT  REGARD
 TO CONCURRENT ADJUDICATION OF CLAIMS FOR VIOLATIONS PERSONALLY AFFECTING
 THE RELATOR.
   9. NO PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTION BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL
 BE  REQUIRED TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 23(A) OF THE FEDERAL RULES
 OF CIVIL PROCEDURE OR ARTICLE NINE OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW AND RULES.
   10. THE RULES GOVERNING PRETRIAL DISCOVERY  IN  A  PUBLIC  ENFORCEMENT
 ACTION  BROUGHT  PURSUANT  TO  THIS  ARTICLE  SHALL BE THE SAME AS THOSE
 APPLICABLE TO OTHER CIVIL ACTIONS. NO SPECIAL SHOWING OF MERIT OR  OTHER
 A. 9012                             9
 
 ADDITIONAL  REQUIREMENT SHALL BE IMPOSED ON A RELATOR'S DISCOVERY RIGHTS
 IN SUCH AN ACTION.
   11.  A  RELATOR  BRINGING  AN ACTION PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE
 ENTITLED TO  DISCOVERY  REGARDING  THE  ALLEGED  VIOLATIONS  AS  TO  ALL
 AFFECTED EMPLOYEES AS DEFINED IN THIS ARTICLE.
   12.  WHEN  RELATED PUBLIC ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ARE PENDING, THE PARTIES
 SHALL IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE COURTS OVERSEEING SUCH ACTIONS OF THE OVER-
 LAP AND SUBMIT A JOINT  STATEMENT  DESCRIBING  THE  OVERLAP,  WHICH  MAY
 PROPOSE  A  PROCESS  TO  ENSURE THE JUST, SPEEDY, AND EFFICIENT DETERMI-
 NATION OF THE ACTIONS. THE COURT MAY APPOINT  LEAD  ENFORCEMENT  COUNSEL
 WITH  SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSERTING THE RELATED CLAIMS, WITH CONSID-
 ERATION OF THE FOLLOWING FACTORS:
   A. THE WORK THAT COUNSEL HAS DONE IN INVESTIGATING THE CLAIMS;
   B. COUNSEL'S EXPERIENCE LITIGATING LABOR LAW AND PAST  PERFORMANCE  IN
 SIMILAR CASES;
   C. COUNSEL'S DILIGENCE IN ADVANCING THE CASE;
   D.  THE RESOURCES THAT COUNSEL HAS COMMITTED AND WILL COMMIT TO PROSE-
 CUTING THE CASE, AND THE RELATIVE RESOURCES AT COUNSEL'S DISPOSAL; AND
   E. THE LENGTH OF TIME EACH ACTION HAS BEEN PENDING.
   § 1023. NON-APPLICATION. 1. THIS ARTICLE SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE RECOV-
 ERY OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND CIVIL PENALTIES IN CONNECTION WITH  THE  UNEM-
 PLOYMENT INSURANCE LAW AS CONTAINED IN ARTICLE EIGHTEEN OF THIS CHAPTER.
   2.  THIS ARTICLE SHALL NOT APPLY TO THE RECOVERY OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND
 CIVIL PENALTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEW YORK  STATE  LABOR  RELATIONS
 ACT AS CONTAINED IN ARTICLE TWENTY OF THIS CHAPTER.
   3.  SEVERABILITY.  IF  ANY  WORD, PHRASE, CLAUSE, SENTENCE, PARAGRAPH,
 SUBDIVISION, SECTION OR PART OF THIS ARTICLE OR THE APPLICATION  THEREOF
 TO  ANY  PERSON OR CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL BE ADJUDGED INVALID BY A COURT OF
 COMPETENT JURISDICTION, SUCH ORDER OR JUDGMENT SHALL BE CONFINED IN  ITS
 OPERATION  TO  THE  CONTROVERSY  IN WHICH IT WAS RENDERED, AND SHALL NOT
 AFFECT OR INVALIDATE  THE  REMAINDER  OF  THIS  ARTICLE,  BUT  SHALL  BE
 CONFINED  IN  ITS OPERATION TO THE WORD, PHRASE, CLAUSE, SENTENCE, PARA-
 GRAPH, SUBDIVISION, SECTION OR PART THEREOF  DIRECTLY  INVOLVED  IN  THE
 CONTROVERSY IN WHICH SUCH JUDGMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN RENDERED.
   4.  THIS  ARTICLE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN LIGHT OF ITS REMEDIAL PURPOSES
 TO EXPAND THE ENFORCEMENT OF THIS CHAPTER.
   § 4. This act shall take effect immediately, and shall permit relators
 to bring actions concerning New York Labor Law violations that  occurred
 within  the  six  years  prior  to this act's effective date, unless the
 Labor Law provides a shorter statute of limitations with respect to  the
 specific  violation  in  question, in which case that shorter statute of
 limitations shall apply.