Sec. 1. 26 MRSA §664, sub-§1, as amended by PL 2003, c. 697, §1, is further amended to read:

1. Minimum wage. The minimum hourly wage is $5.15 $6.35 per hour. Starting January 1, 2002, the minimum hourly wage is $5.75 per hour. Starting January 1, 2003, the minimum hourly wage is $6.25 per hour. Starting October 1, 2004, the minimum hourly wage is $6.35 per hour. Starting October 1, 2005, the minimum hourly wage is $6.50 per hour. Starting October 1, 2006, the minimum hourly wage is $6.75 per hour.__Starting October 1, 2007, the minimum hourly wage is $7.00 per hour. If the highest federal minimum wage is increased in excess of the minimum wage in effect under this section, the minimum wage under this section is increased to the same amount, effective on the same date as the increase in the federal minimum wage, but in no case may the minimum wage exceed the minimum wage otherwise in effect under this section by more than $1 per hour.

Sec. 2. Reprinting of notice. Notwithstanding the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 26, section 42-B, the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Standards is not required to modify and redistribute the printed notice required by that section to reflect the changes in the law resulting from this Act. The Bureau of Labor Standards shall modify the printed notice to reflect the changes contained in this Act when it becomes necessary to print additional notices due to an insufficient supply of such notices or due to future changes in law.

SUMMARY

This bill increases the minimum wage to $7.00 per hour over a 2-year period.