(a) Any employer who pays any employee less than the full amount of the wages to which the employee is entitled under this chapter shall be liable to such employee in a civil action for the full amount of such wages less any amount actually paid to such employee by the employer and for the costs of the action, necessary expenses of prosecution and reasonable attorney’s fees. Any agreement between such employee and the employer to work for less than the minimum wage rate under this chapter shall be no defense to such action.
(b) Whenever the Department believes that wages, as required under this chapter, have not been paid, the Department may bring any legal action necessary to collect such claim. The Department shall attempt to notify affected employees of its action. Should the Department prevail the employer shall also be liable to pay the costs of the action, necessary expenses of prosecution and reasonable attorney’s fees. All expenses and attorney’s fees collected by the Department shall be remitted by the Department to the State Treasurer. Any wages collected pursuant to this subsection but not claimed by the employee entitled thereto within 1 year from the date of collection shall be remitted by the Department to the State Treasurer.