The federal government and many states, including Iowa, have increased enforcement of wage theft in recent years.
But critics say Iowa's laws have fallen behind a national push to punish employers who don't pay employees for the hours they work.
Employers can be fined $500 for each violation, which can include not paying full wages and overtime, according to Iowa code. Some states, as a result of laws enacted this year, award three times that amount against companies that deny workers overtime wages.
"We have really, really weak penalties," said state Sen. Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City who has proposed legislation to strengthen Iowa's wage laws.
Since 2009, five states have increased funding, and stiffened penalties for employers who don't pay minimum wage or overtime. The new laws also…
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