State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > North-dakota > T34 > T34c061
Download pdf
Loading PDF...
<![CDATA[CHAPTER 34-06.1EQUAL PAY FOR MEN AND WOMEN34-06.1-01. Declaration of public policy. The public policy of this state is declared tobe that the practice of discriminating on the basis of sex by paying wages to employees of one<br>sex at a lesser rate than the rate paid to employees of the opposite sex for comparable work on<br>jobs which have comparable requirements unjustly discriminates against the person receiving the<br>lesser rate; leads to low worker morale, high turnover, and frequent labor unrest; discourages<br>workers paid at the lesser wage rates from training for higher level jobs; curtails employment<br>opportunities, decreases workers' mobility, and increases labor costs; impairs purchasing power<br>and threatens the maintenance of an adequate standard of living by such workers and their<br>families; prevents optimum utilization of the state's available labor resources; threatens the<br>well-being of citizens of this state; and adversely affects the general welfare.It is thereforedeclared to be the policy of this state through exercise of its police power to correct and, as<br>rapidly as possible, to eliminate discriminatory wage practices based on sex.34-06.1-02. Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwiserequires:1."Commissioner" means the labor commissioner.2."Employ" includes to suffer or permit to work.3."Employee" means any individual employed by an employer, including individuals<br>employed by the state or any of its political subdivisions, including public bodies.4."Employer" means any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an<br>employer in relation to one or more employees of each sex.5."Occupation" includes any industry, trade, business or branch thereof, or any<br>employment or class of employment, but does not include domestic employment in<br>private homes.6."Person" includes one or more individuals, partnerships, corporations, limited liability<br>companies, legal representatives, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, or voluntary<br>associations.7."Wage rate" means all compensation for employment, including payment in kind and<br>amounts paid by employers for employee benefits, as defined by the commissioner<br>in regulations issued under this chapter.34-06.1-03.Prohibition of discrimination. No employer may discriminate betweenemployees in the same establishment on the basis of gender, by paying wages to any employee<br>in any occupation in this state at a rate less than the rate at which the employer pays any<br>employee of the opposite gender for comparable work on jobs which have comparable<br>requirements relating to skill, effort, and responsibility. Differentials that are paid pursuant to<br>established seniority systems, job descriptive systems, merit increase systems, or executive<br>training programs, and which do not discriminate on the basis of gender, are not within this<br>prohibition. An employer who is paying a wage differential in violation of this chapter may not, in<br>order to comply with this chapter, reduce the wage rates of any employee. No person may<br>cause or attempt to cause an employer to discriminate against any employee in violation of this<br>chapter. No employer may discharge or discriminate against any employee by reason of any<br>action taken by the employee to invoke or assist in any manner the enforcement of this chapter,<br>except when proven that the act of the employee is fraudulent.34-06.1-04. Powers of commissioner. The commissioner has the power and duty tocarry out the provisions of this chapter and for this purpose, the commissioner, or the<br>commissioner's authorized representative, has power to:Page No. 11.With the consent of the employer or upon appropriate court order, for cause, enter<br>the place of employment of any employer to inspect and copy payrolls and other<br>employment records, to compare character of work and operations on which<br>persons employed by the employer are engaged, to question such persons, and to<br>obtain such other information as is reasonably necessary to the administration and<br>enforcement of this chapter.2.Examine witnesses under oath, and to require by subpoena the attendance and<br>testimony of witnesses and the production of any documentary evidence relating to<br>the subject matter of any investigation undertaken pursuant to this section.3.Eliminate pay practices unlawful under this chapter, by informal methods of<br>conference, conciliation and persuasion, and to supervise the payment of wages<br>owing to any employee under this chapter.4.Issue such regulations, not inconsistent with the purpose of this chapter, as the<br>commissioner deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its provisions.Witnesses summoned by the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized representative<br>must be paid the same fees as are allowed witnesses attending the district courts of this state. In<br>the event of the failure of a person to attend, testify, or produce documents under or in response<br>to a subpoena, the court on application of the commissioner or the commissioner's<br>representative may issue an order requiring said person to appear before the commissioner or<br>authorized representative, or to produce documentary evidence, and any failure to obey such<br>order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.34-06.1-05. Collection of unpaid wages and other relief. Any employer who violatesthe provisions of section 34-06.1-03 is liable to the employee or employees affected in the<br>amount of their unpaid wages and in instances of willful violation in employee suits up to an<br>additional equal amount as liquidated damages.Action to recover such liability may bemaintained in any court of competent jurisdiction by any one or more employees for and in behalf<br>of the employee or group of employees and other employees similarly situated. The court in<br>such action shall, in cases of violation in addition to any judgment awarded to the plaintiff or<br>plaintiffs, allow a reasonable attorney's fee to be paid by the defendant, and costs of the action.<br>An agreement by any such employee to work for less than the wage to which such employee is<br>entitled under this chapter is not a bar to any such action or to a voluntary wage restitution of the<br>full amount due under this chapter. At the written request of any employee claiming to have<br>been paid less than the wage to which the employee may be entitled under this chapter, the<br>commissioner may bring any legal action necessary in behalf of the employee to collect such<br>claim for unpaid wages. The commissioner may not be required to pay the filing fee, or other<br>costs, in connection with such action. The commissioner has the power to join various claims<br>against the employer in one claim for relief. In proceedings under this section, the court may<br>order other affirmative action as appropriate, including reinstatement of employees discharged in<br>violation of this chapter. The commissioner has the power to petition any court of competent<br>jurisdiction to restrain violations of section 34-06.1-03, and for such affirmative relief as the court<br>may deem appropriate, including restoration of unpaid wages and reinstatement of employees,<br>consistent with the purpose of this chapter.34-06.1-06. Statute of limitations. Court action under this chapter may be commencedno later than two years after the claim for relief occurs.34-06.1-07. Records and reporting. Every employer subject to this chapter shall make,keep, and maintain such records of the wages and wage rates, job classifications, and other<br>terms and conditions of employment of the persons employed by the employer, and shall<br>preserve such records for such periods of time, and shall make such reports therefrom as the<br>commissioner prescribes.34-06.1-08. Posting of law. Repealed by S.L. 1997, ch. 296, <meta property="og:url" content="https://statutes.laws.com/test/" />
<meta property="og:site_name" content="Statutes" />
<meta property="article:modified_time" content="2019-12-27T23:25:16+00:00" />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" />
<h2>State Codes and Statutes</h2>
<a href='https://statutes.laws.com/'>Statutes</a> > <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota'>North-dakota</a> > <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota/t34'>T34</a> > <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota/t34/t34c061'>T34c061</a><br><br><a href="https://law.justia.com/codes/north-dakota/2009/t34/pdf/t34c061.pdf">Download pdf</a><br><div id="embed_document" style="width:625px; height:815px; text-align:center;">Loading PDF...</div><script type="text/javascript"> var pdf_url = 'https://law.justia.com/codes/north-dakota/2009/t34/pdf/t34c061.pdf'; $(document).ready(function() { var embedwindow = $("#embed_document"); if ($.browser.msie){ embedwindow.html('<embed src="'+pdf_url+'" width="100%" height="100%"></embed>'); } else { embedwindow.html('<iframe style="width:100%; height:100%;" src="https://docs.google.com/gview?url='+window.escape(pdf_url)+'&embedded=true" frameborder="0"></iframe>'); } });</script><br><br><noframes>CHAPTER 34-06.1EQUAL PAY FOR MEN AND WOMEN34-06.1-01. Declaration of public policy. The public policy of this state is declared tobe that the practice of discriminating on the basis of sex by paying wages to employees of one<br>sex at a lesser rate than the rate paid to employees of the opposite sex for comparable work on<br>jobs which have comparable requirements unjustly discriminates against the person receiving the<br>lesser rate; leads to low worker morale, high turnover, and frequent labor unrest; discourages<br>workers paid at the lesser wage rates from training for higher level jobs; curtails employment<br>opportunities, decreases workers' mobility, and increases labor costs; impairs purchasing power<br>and threatens the maintenance of an adequate standard of living by such workers and their<br>families; prevents optimum utilization of the state's available labor resources; threatens the<br>well-being of citizens of this state; and adversely affects the general welfare.It is thereforedeclared to be the policy of this state through exercise of its police power to correct and, as<br>rapidly as possible, to eliminate discriminatory wage practices based on sex.34-06.1-02. Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwiserequires:1."Commissioner" means the labor commissioner.2."Employ" includes to suffer or permit to work.3."Employee" means any individual employed by an employer, including individuals<br>employed by the state or any of its political subdivisions, including public bodies.4."Employer" means any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an<br>employer in relation to one or more employees of each sex.5."Occupation" includes any industry, trade, business or branch thereof, or any<br>employment or class of employment, but does not include domestic employment in<br>private homes.6."Person" includes one or more individuals, partnerships, corporations, limited liability<br>companies, legal representatives, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, or voluntary<br>associations.7."Wage rate" means all compensation for employment, including payment in kind and<br>amounts paid by employers for employee benefits, as defined by the commissioner<br>in regulations issued under this chapter.34-06.1-03.Prohibition of discrimination. No employer may discriminate betweenemployees in the same establishment on the basis of gender, by paying wages to any employee<br>in any occupation in this state at a rate less than the rate at which the employer pays any<br>employee of the opposite gender for comparable work on jobs which have comparable<br>requirements relating to skill, effort, and responsibility. Differentials that are paid pursuant to<br>established seniority systems, job descriptive systems, merit increase systems, or executive<br>training programs, and which do not discriminate on the basis of gender, are not within this<br>prohibition. An employer who is paying a wage differential in violation of this chapter may not, in<br>order to comply with this chapter, reduce the wage rates of any employee. No person may<br>cause or attempt to cause an employer to discriminate against any employee in violation of this<br>chapter. No employer may discharge or discriminate against any employee by reason of any<br>action taken by the employee to invoke or assist in any manner the enforcement of this chapter,<br>except when proven that the act of the employee is fraudulent.34-06.1-04. Powers of commissioner. The commissioner has the power and duty tocarry out the provisions of this chapter and for this purpose, the commissioner, or the<br>commissioner's authorized representative, has power to:Page No. 11.With the consent of the employer or upon appropriate court order, for cause, enter<br>the place of employment of any employer to inspect and copy payrolls and other<br>employment records, to compare character of work and operations on which<br>persons employed by the employer are engaged, to question such persons, and to<br>obtain such other information as is reasonably necessary to the administration and<br>enforcement of this chapter.2.Examine witnesses under oath, and to require by subpoena the attendance and<br>testimony of witnesses and the production of any documentary evidence relating to<br>the subject matter of any investigation undertaken pursuant to this section.3.Eliminate pay practices unlawful under this chapter, by informal methods of<br>conference, conciliation and persuasion, and to supervise the payment of wages<br>owing to any employee under this chapter.4.Issue such regulations, not inconsistent with the purpose of this chapter, as the<br>commissioner deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its provisions.Witnesses summoned by the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized representative<br>must be paid the same fees as are allowed witnesses attending the district courts of this state. In<br>the event of the failure of a person to attend, testify, or produce documents under or in response<br>to a subpoena, the court on application of the commissioner or the commissioner's<br>representative may issue an order requiring said person to appear before the commissioner or<br>authorized representative, or to produce documentary evidence, and any failure to obey such<br>order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.34-06.1-05. Collection of unpaid wages and other relief. Any employer who violatesthe provisions of section 34-06.1-03 is liable to the employee or employees affected in the<br>amount of their unpaid wages and in instances of willful violation in employee suits up to an<br>additional equal amount as liquidated damages.Action to recover such liability may bemaintained in any court of competent jurisdiction by any one or more employees for and in behalf<br>of the employee or group of employees and other employees similarly situated. The court in<br>such action shall, in cases of violation in addition to any judgment awarded to the plaintiff or<br>plaintiffs, allow a reasonable attorney's fee to be paid by the defendant, and costs of the action.<br>An agreement by any such employee to work for less than the wage to which such employee is<br>entitled under this chapter is not a bar to any such action or to a voluntary wage restitution of the<br>full amount due under this chapter. At the written request of any employee claiming to have<br>been paid less than the wage to which the employee may be entitled under this chapter, the<br>commissioner may bring any legal action necessary in behalf of the employee to collect such<br>claim for unpaid wages. The commissioner may not be required to pay the filing fee, or other<br>costs, in connection with such action. The commissioner has the power to join various claims<br>against the employer in one claim for relief. In proceedings under this section, the court may<br>order other affirmative action as appropriate, including reinstatement of employees discharged in<br>violation of this chapter. The commissioner has the power to petition any court of competent<br>jurisdiction to restrain violations of section 34-06.1-03, and for such affirmative relief as the court<br>may deem appropriate, including restoration of unpaid wages and reinstatement of employees,<br>consistent with the purpose of this chapter.34-06.1-06. Statute of limitations. Court action under this chapter may be commencedno later than two years after the claim for relief occurs.34-06.1-07. Records and reporting. Every employer subject to this chapter shall make,keep, and maintain such records of the wages and wage rates, job classifications, and other<br>terms and conditions of employment of the persons employed by the employer, and shall<br>preserve such records for such periods of time, and shall make such reports therefrom as the<br>commissioner prescribes.34-06.1-08. Posting of law. Repealed by S.L. 1997, ch. 296, <script type="application/ld+json" class="yoast-schema-graph">{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://statutes.laws.com/test/","url":"https://statutes.laws.com/test/","name":"State Codes and Statutes - Statutes","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://statutes.laws.com/#website"},"datePublished":"2015-03-10T03:31:37+00:00","dateModified":"2019-12-27T23:25:16+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://statutes.laws.com/test/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://statutes.laws.com/test/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://statutes.laws.com/test/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://statutes.laws.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"State Codes and Statutes"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://statutes.laws.com/#website","url":"https://statutes.laws.com/","name":"Statutes","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https://statutes.laws.com/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}</script>
<!-- / Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->
<link rel='dns-prefetch' href='//fonts.googleapis.com' />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml" title="Statutes » Feed" href="https://statutes.laws.com/feed/" />
<script type="text/javascript">
/* <![CDATA[ */
window._wpemojiSettings = {"baseUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/14.0.0\/72x72\/","ext":".png","svgUrl":"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/14.0.0\/svg\/","svgExt":".svg","source":{"concatemoji":"https:\/\/statutes.laws.com\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-emoji-release.min.js?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7"}};
/*! This file is auto-generated */
!function(i,n){var o,s,e;function c(e){try{var t={supportTests:e,timestamp:(new Date).valueOf()};sessionStorage.setItem(o,JSON.stringify(t))}catch(e){}}function p(e,t,n){e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(t,0,0);var t=new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data),r=(e.clearRect(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height),e.fillText(n,0,0),new Uint32Array(e.getImageData(0,0,e.canvas.width,e.canvas.height).data));return t.every(function(e,t){return e===r[t]})}function u(e,t,n){switch(t){case"flag":return n(e,"\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f","\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200b\u26a7\ufe0f")?!1:!n(e,"\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf3","\ud83c\uddfa\u200b\ud83c\uddf3")&&!n(e,"\ud83c\udff4\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc62\udb40\udc65\udb40\udc6e\udb40\udc67\udb40\udc7f","\ud83c\udff4\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc62\u200b\udb40\udc65\u200b\udb40\udc6e\u200b\udb40\udc67\u200b\udb40\udc7f");case"emoji":return!n(e,"\ud83e\udef1\ud83c\udffb\u200d\ud83e\udef2\ud83c\udfff","\ud83e\udef1\ud83c\udffb\u200b\ud83e\udef2\ud83c\udfff")}return!1}function f(e,t,n){var r="undefined"!=typeof WorkerGlobalScope&&self instanceof WorkerGlobalScope?new OffscreenCanvas(300,150):i.createElement("canvas"),a=r.getContext("2d",{willReadFrequently:!0}),o=(a.textBaseline="top",a.font="600 32px Arial",{});return e.forEach(function(e){o[e]=t(a,e,n)}),o}function t(e){var t=i.createElement("script");t.src=e,t.defer=!0,i.head.appendChild(t)}"undefined"!=typeof Promise&&(o="wpEmojiSettingsSupports",s=["flag","emoji"],n.supports={everything:!0,everythingExceptFlag:!0},e=new Promise(function(e){i.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",e,{once:!0})}),new Promise(function(t){var n=function(){try{var e=JSON.parse(sessionStorage.getItem(o));if("object"==typeof e&&"number"==typeof e.timestamp&&(new Date).valueOf()<e.timestamp+604800&&"object"==typeof e.supportTests)return e.supportTests}catch(e){}return null}();if(!n){if("undefined"!=typeof Worker&&"undefined"!=typeof OffscreenCanvas&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&URL.createObjectURL&&"undefined"!=typeof Blob)try{var e="postMessage("+f.toString()+"("+[JSON.stringify(s),u.toString(),p.toString()].join(",")+"));",r=new Blob([e],{type:"text/javascript"}),a=new Worker(URL.createObjectURL(r),{name:"wpTestEmojiSupports"});return void(a.onmessage=function(e){c(n=e.data),a.terminate(),t(n)})}catch(e){}c(n=f(s,u,p))}t(n)}).then(function(e){for(var t in e)n.supports[t]=e[t],n.supports.everything=n.supports.everything&&n.supports[t],"flag"!==t&&(n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&n.supports[t]);n.supports.everythingExceptFlag=n.supports.everythingExceptFlag&&!n.supports.flag,n.DOMReady=!1,n.readyCallback=function(){n.DOMReady=!0}}).then(function(){return e}).then(function(){var e;n.supports.everything||(n.readyCallback(),(e=n.source||{}).concatemoji?t(e.concatemoji):e.wpemoji&&e.twemoji&&(t(e.twemoji),t(e.wpemoji)))}))}((window,document),window._wpemojiSettings);
/* ]]]]><![CDATA[> */
</script>
<style id='wp-emoji-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'>
img.wp-smiley, img.emoji {
display: inline !important;
border: none !important;
box-shadow: none !important;
height: 1em !important;
width: 1em !important;
margin: 0 0.07em !important;
vertical-align: -0.1em !important;
background: none !important;
padding: 0 !important;
}
</style>
<link rel='stylesheet' id='wp-block-library-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-includes/css/dist/block-library/style.min.css?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7' type='text/css' media='all' />
<style id='classic-theme-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'>
/*! This file is auto-generated */
.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}
</style>
<style id='global-styles-inline-css' type='text/css'>
body{--wp--preset--color--black: #000000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray: #abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white: #ffffff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink: #f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red: #cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange: #ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber: #fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan: #7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan: #00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue: #8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue: #0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple: #9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,rgb(155,81,224) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(122,220,180) 0%,rgb(0,208,130) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red: linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,rgb(207,46,46) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(238,238,238) 0%,rgb(169,184,195) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(74,234,220) 0%,rgb(151,120,209) 20%,rgb(207,42,186) 40%,rgb(238,44,130) 60%,rgb(251,105,98) 80%,rgb(254,248,76) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,206,236) 0%,rgb(152,150,240) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(254,205,165) 0%,rgb(254,45,45) 50%,rgb(107,0,62) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,203,112) 0%,rgb(199,81,192) 50%,rgb(65,88,208) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(255,245,203) 0%,rgb(182,227,212) 50%,rgb(51,167,181) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(202,248,128) 0%,rgb(113,206,126) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight: linear-gradient(135deg,rgb(2,3,129) 0%,rgb(40,116,252) 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small: 13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium: 20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large: 36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large: 42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20: 0.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30: 0.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40: 1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50: 1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60: 2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70: 3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80: 5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural: 6px 6px 9px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep: 12px 12px 50px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined: 6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255, 255, 255, 1), 6px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp: 6px 6px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 1);}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap: 0.5em;}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap: 0.5em;}body .is-layout-flow > .alignleft{float: left;margin-inline-start: 0;margin-inline-end: 2em;}body .is-layout-flow > .alignright{float: right;margin-inline-start: 2em;margin-inline-end: 0;}body .is-layout-flow > .aligncenter{margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignleft{float: left;margin-inline-start: 0;margin-inline-end: 2em;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignright{float: right;margin-inline-start: 2em;margin-inline-end: 0;}body .is-layout-constrained > .aligncenter{margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > :where(:not(.alignleft):not(.alignright):not(.alignfull)){max-width: var(--wp--style--global--content-size);margin-left: auto !important;margin-right: auto !important;}body .is-layout-constrained > .alignwide{max-width: var(--wp--style--global--wide-size);}body .is-layout-flex{display: flex;}body .is-layout-flex{flex-wrap: wrap;align-items: center;}body .is-layout-flex > *{margin: 0;}body .is-layout-grid{display: grid;}body .is-layout-grid > *{margin: 0;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}.has-black-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color: var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background: var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size: var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}
.wp-block-navigation a:where(:not(.wp-element-button)){color: inherit;}
:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap: 1.25em;}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap: 1.25em;}
:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap: 2em;}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap: 2em;}
.wp-block-pullquote{font-size: 1.5em;line-height: 1.6;}
</style>
<link rel='stylesheet' id='contact-form-7-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/css/styles.css?ver=5.9.3' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='redux-extendify-styles-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/redux-framework/redux-core/assets/css/extendify-utilities.css?ver=4.4.15' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='google-fonts-2-css' href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Titillium+Web&subset=latin&ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='reset-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/css/reset.css?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='font-awesome-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/lib/font-awesome/css/font-awesome.min.css?ver=4.7.0' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='main-stylesheet-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/css/main-stylesheet.css?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='shortcode-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/css/shortcode.css?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='lightbox-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/css/lightbox.css?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='dat-menu-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/css/dat-menu.css?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='responsive-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/css/responsive.css?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7' type='text/css' media='all' />
<!--[if lt IE 8]>
<link rel='stylesheet' id='ie-only-styles-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/css/ie-ancient.css?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7' type='text/css' media='all' />
<![endif]-->
<link rel='stylesheet' id='dynamic-css-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php?action=ot_dynamic_css&ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='style-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/style.css?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-icons-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/lib/eicons/css/elementor-icons.min.css?ver=5.23.0' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-frontend-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/css/frontend-lite.min.css?ver=3.17.3' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='swiper-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/elementor/assets/lib/swiper/css/swiper.min.css?ver=5.3.6' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-post-248-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/elementor/css/post-248.css?ver=1699721364' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-pro-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/elementor-pro/assets/css/frontend-lite.min.css?ver=3.16.2' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='elementor-global-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/elementor/css/global.css?ver=1699721365' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='toc-screen-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/table-of-contents-plus/screen.min.css?ver=2309' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel='stylesheet' id='google-fonts-1-css' href='https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2C400%2C400italic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic%7CRoboto+Slab%3A100%2C100italic%2C200%2C200italic%2C300%2C300italic%2C400%2C400italic%2C500%2C500italic%2C600%2C600italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C800%2C800italic%2C900%2C900italic&display=auto&ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7' type='text/css' media='all' />
<link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com/" crossorigin><script type="text/javascript" id="jquery-core-js-extra">
/* <![CDATA[ */
var ot = {"THEME_NAME":"legatus","adminUrl":"https:\/\/statutes.laws.com\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","gallery_id":"","galleryCat":"","imageUrl":"https:\/\/statutes.laws.com\/wp-content\/themes\/legatus\/images\/","cssUrl":"https:\/\/statutes.laws.com\/wp-content\/themes\/legatus\/css\/","themeUrl":"https:\/\/statutes.laws.com\/wp-content\/themes\/legatus"};
/* ]]]]><![CDATA[> */
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery.min.js?ver=3.7.1" id="jquery-core-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/jquery-migrate.min.js?ver=3.4.1" id="jquery-migrate-js"></script>
<script></script><link rel="https://api.w.org/" href="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-json/" /><link rel="alternate" type="application/json" href="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-json/wp/v2/pages/19" /><link rel="EditURI" type="application/rsd+xml" title="RSD" href="https://statutes.laws.com/xmlrpc.php?rsd" />
<link rel='shortlink' href='https://statutes.laws.com/?p=19' />
<link rel="alternate" type="application/json+oembed" href="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatutes.laws.com%2Ftest%2F" />
<link rel="alternate" type="text/xml+oembed" href="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-json/oembed/1.0/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatutes.laws.com%2Ftest%2F&format=xml" />
<meta name="generator" content="Redux 4.4.15" /><script type="text/javascript">
(function(url){
if(/(?:Chrome\/26\.0\.1410\.63 Safari\/537\.31|WordfenceTestMonBot)/.test(navigator.userAgent)){ return; }
var addEvent = function(evt, handler) {
if (window.addEventListener) {
document.addEventListener(evt, handler, false);
} else if (window.attachEvent) {
document.attachEvent('on' + evt, handler);
}
};
var removeEvent = function(evt, handler) {
if (window.removeEventListener) {
document.removeEventListener(evt, handler, false);
} else if (window.detachEvent) {
document.detachEvent('on' + evt, handler);
}
};
var evts = 'contextmenu dblclick drag dragend dragenter dragleave dragover dragstart drop keydown keypress keyup mousedown mousemove mouseout mouseover mouseup mousewheel scroll'.split(' ');
var logHuman = function() {
if (window.wfLogHumanRan) { return; }
window.wfLogHumanRan = true;
var wfscr = document.createElement('script');
wfscr.type = 'text/javascript';
wfscr.async = true;
wfscr.src = url + '&r=' + Math.random();
(document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0]||document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(wfscr);
for (var i = 0; i < evts.length; i++) {
removeEvent(evts[i], logHuman);
}
};
for (var i = 0; i < evts.length; i++) {
addEvent(evts[i], logHuman);
}
})('//statutes.laws.com/?wordfence_lh=1&hid=CEB1760261E8815639ED39A7869E4B59');
</script><meta name="generator" content="Elementor 3.17.3; features: e_dom_optimization, e_optimized_assets_loading, e_optimized_css_loading, additional_custom_breakpoints; settings: css_print_method-external, google_font-enabled, font_display-auto">
<meta name="generator" content="Powered by WPBakery Page Builder - drag and drop page builder for WordPress."/>
<meta name="generator" content="Powered by Slider Revolution 6.6.11 - responsive, Mobile-Friendly Slider Plugin for WordPress with comfortable drag and drop interface." />
<!-- Clicky Web Analytics - https://clicky.com, WordPress Plugin by Yoast - https://yoast.com/wordpress/plugins/clicky/ --><script type='text/javascript'>
function clicky_gc(name) {
var ca = document.cookie.split(';');
for (var i in ca) {
if (ca[i].indexOf(name + '=') != -1) {
return decodeURIComponent(ca[i].split('=')[1]);
}
}
return '';
}
var username_check = clicky_gc('"comment_author_d2f3dac10cedf763d31d1d5e708a3685"');
if (username_check) var clicky_custom_session = {username: username_check};
</script>
<script>
var clicky_site_ids = clicky_site_ids || [];
clicky_site_ids.push("100851447");
</script>
<script async src="//static.getclicky.com/js"></script><script>function setREVStartSize(e){
//window.requestAnimationFrame(function() {
window.RSIW = window.RSIW===undefined ? window.innerWidth : window.RSIW;
window.RSIH = window.RSIH===undefined ? window.innerHeight : window.RSIH;
try {
var pw = document.getElementById(e.c).parentNode.offsetWidth,
newh;
pw = pw===0 || isNaN(pw) || (e.l=="fullwidth" || e.layout=="fullwidth") ? window.RSIW : pw;
e.tabw = e.tabw===undefined ? 0 : parseInt(e.tabw);
e.thumbw = e.thumbw===undefined ? 0 : parseInt(e.thumbw);
e.tabh = e.tabh===undefined ? 0 : parseInt(e.tabh);
e.thumbh = e.thumbh===undefined ? 0 : parseInt(e.thumbh);
e.tabhide = e.tabhide===undefined ? 0 : parseInt(e.tabhide);
e.thumbhide = e.thumbhide===undefined ? 0 : parseInt(e.thumbhide);
e.mh = e.mh===undefined || e.mh=="" || e.mh==="auto" ? 0 : parseInt(e.mh,0);
if(e.layout==="fullscreen" || e.l==="fullscreen")
newh = Math.max(e.mh,window.RSIH);
else{
e.gw = Array.isArray(e.gw) ? e.gw : [e.gw];
for (var i in e.rl) if (e.gw[i]===undefined || e.gw[i]===0) e.gw[i] = e.gw[i-1];
e.gh = e.el===undefined || e.el==="" || (Array.isArray(e.el) && e.el.length==0)? e.gh : e.el;
e.gh = Array.isArray(e.gh) ? e.gh : [e.gh];
for (var i in e.rl) if (e.gh[i]===undefined || e.gh[i]===0) e.gh[i] = e.gh[i-1];
var nl = new Array(e.rl.length),
ix = 0,
sl;
e.tabw = e.tabhide>=pw ? 0 : e.tabw;
e.thumbw = e.thumbhide>=pw ? 0 : e.thumbw;
e.tabh = e.tabhide>=pw ? 0 : e.tabh;
e.thumbh = e.thumbhide>=pw ? 0 : e.thumbh;
for (var i in e.rl) nl[i] = e.rl[i]<window.RSIW ? 0 : e.rl[i];
sl = nl[0];
for (var i in nl) if (sl>nl[i] && nl[i]>0) { sl = nl[i]; ix=i;}
var m = pw>(e.gw[ix]+e.tabw+e.thumbw) ? 1 : (pw-(e.tabw+e.thumbw)) / (e.gw[ix]);
newh = (e.gh[ix] * m) + (e.tabh + e.thumbh);
}
var el = document.getElementById(e.c);
if (el!==null && el) el.style.height = newh+"px";
el = document.getElementById(e.c+"_wrapper");
if (el!==null && el) {
el.style.height = newh+"px";
el.style.display = "block";
}
} catch(e){
console.log("Failure at Presize of Slider:" + e)
}
//});
};</script>
<noscript><style> .wpb_animate_when_almost_visible { opacity: 1; }</style></noscript> <style>
body {
background: none !important;
}
</style>
<!-- END head -->
</head>
<!-- BEGIN body -->
<body class="page-template-default page page-id-19 wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-7.5 vc_responsive elementor-default elementor-kit-248 elementor-page elementor-page-19">
<!-- BEGIN .boxed -->
<div class="boxed">
<!-- BEGIN .header -->
<div class="header">
<!-- BEGIN .header-very-top -->
<div class="header-very-top">
<!-- BEGIN .wrapper -->
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="left">
<ul class="ot-menu very-top-menu load-responsive" rel="Top Menu"><li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com" class="icon-text"><i class="fa fa-home"></i></a></li><li id="menu-item-154" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom custom-class-1 single"><a href="https://www.laws.com/">Laws</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-155" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom custom-class-2 single"><a href="https://lawyer.laws.com/">Lawyers</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-156" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom custom-class-3 single"><a href="https://find.laws.com/">Find Laws</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-157" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom custom-class-4 single"><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/">Legal Forms</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-158" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom custom-class-5 single"><a href="https://state-laws.laws.com/">State Laws</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="clear-float"></div>
</div>
<div class="double-split"></div>
<!-- END .header-very-top -->
</div>
<!-- BEGIN .header-middle -->
<div class="header-middle">
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="banner">
<div class="banner-block">
</div>
</div>
<div class="clear-float"></div>
</div>
<!-- END .header-middle -->
</div>
<!-- BEGIN .header-menu -->
<div class="header-menu thisisfixed">
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="logo-image">
<!--<h1></h1>-->
<a href="https://statutes.laws.com"><img class="logo" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/images/logo.png" alt="Statutes" /></a>
</div>
<ul class="menu main-menu" ><li id="menu-item-148" class="normal-drop no-description menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom custom-class-1" style="background:#264C84; color:#264C84; "><a href="https://www.laws.com/">Laws</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-149" class="normal-drop no-description menu_red menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom custom-class-2"><a href="https://lawyer.laws.com/">Lawyers</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-150" class="normal-drop no-description menu_green menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom custom-class-3"><a href="https://find.laws.com/">Find Laws</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-152" class="normal-drop no-description menu_boldred menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom custom-class-4"><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/">Legal Forms</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-151" class="normal-drop no-description menu_blue menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom custom-class-5"><a href="https://state-laws.laws.com/">State Laws</a></li>
</ul>
<div class="clear-float"></div>
</div>
<!-- END .header-menu -->
</div>
<!-- BEGIN .header-undermenu -->
<div class="header-undermenu">
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="clear-float"></div>
</div>
<!-- END .header-undermenu -->
</div>
<!-- Begin add search bar -->
<br />
<div class="wrapper">
<!-- add search bar - Peter - May 2015 -->
<style>
.input-txt-bigger{background:url(https://laws.com/uploads/input-txt-bigger.jpg) no-repeat;width:100%;height:30px;color:#5a8bb7;padding:0px 10px;padding:6px 10px\9;float:left;border:0px;font-size:16px}
.input-btn{background:url(https://laws.com/uploads/input-btn-blue.png) no-repeat;width:100%;height:30px;color:#fff;font-weight:bold;margin-left:10px;text-align:center;float:left;border:0px;cursor:pointer}
</style>
<form action="https://laws.com/searchresults" method="get">
<input type="text" id="qucik-key" name="sname" value="Search Laws" onfocus="if(this.value=='Search Laws' || this.value=='') this.value='';" onblur="if(this.value=='') this.value='Search Laws';" class="input-txt-bigger" style="background:none;border:2px solid #1661B2;width:75%;height:55px;font-size:30px;font-weight:bold" /> <input type="submit" class="input-btn" value="SEARCH" style="width:167px;height:55px;font-size:20px;background:url(https://laws.com/uploads/input-btn-blue-big.png) no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent" />
</form>
<!-- End add search bar - Peter - May 2015 -->
</div>
<div style="height: 70px;"></div>
<!-- Begin add search bar -->
<!-- END .header -->
</div>
<!-- BEGIN .content -->
<div class="content">
<!-- BEGIN .wrapper -->
<div class="wrapper">
<!-- BEGIN .main-content-left -->
<div class="main-content-left">
<div class="social-icons-float">
<span class="soc-header">Share</span>
<span class="social-icon">
<span class="social-count"><span class="count">0</span><span class="social-arrow"> </span></span>
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://statutes.laws.com/test/" data-url="https://statutes.laws.com/test/" class="social-button ot-share" style="background:#495fbd;"><i class="fa fa-facebook"></i><font>Share</font></a>
</span>
<span class="social-icon">
<span class="social-count"><span class="count">0</span><span class="social-arrow"> </span></span>
<a href="#" data-hashtags="" data-url="https://statutes.laws.com/test/" data-via="" data-text="State Codes and Statutes" class="social-button ot-tweet" style="background:#43bedd;"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i><font>Tweet</font></a>
</span>
<span class="social-icon">
<span class="social-count">0<span class="social-arrow"> </span></span>
<a href="https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://statutes.laws.com/test/" class="social-button ot-pluss" style="background:#df6149;"><i class="fa fa-google-plus"></i><font>+1</font></a>
</span>
<span class="social-icon">
<span class="social-count"><span class="count">0</span><span class="social-arrow"> </span></span>
<a href="http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://statutes.laws.com/test/&title=State Codes and Statutes" class="social-button ot-link" style="background:#264c84;" data-url="https://statutes.laws.com/test/"><i class="fa fa-linkedin"></i><font>Share</font></a>
</span>
</div>
<!-- 27.04.15 - BEGIN box search -->
<!-- Adding the ads for legal-forms - Peter - 27-4-2015 -->
<!-- End Adding the ads for legal-forms - Peter - 27-4-2015 -->
<!-- 27.04.15 - END box search -->
<div style="clear:both;"></div>
<div class="content-article-title">
<h2>State Codes and Statutes</h2>
<div class="right-title-side">
<br/>
<a href="https://statutes.laws.com"><i class="fa fa-angle-left"></i>Back To Homepage</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="main-article-content">
<!-- BEGIN .shortcode-content -->
<div class="shortcode-content">
<h2>State Codes and Statutes</h2>
<a href='https://statutes.laws.com/'>Statutes</a> > <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota'>North-dakota</a> > <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota/t34'>T34</a> > <a href='https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota/t34/t34c061'>T34c061</a><br><br><a href="https://law.justia.com/codes/north-dakota/2009/t34/pdf/t34c061.pdf">Download pdf</a><br><div id="embed_document" style="width:625px; height:815px; text-align:center;">Loading PDF...</div><script type="text/javascript"> var pdf_url = 'https://law.justia.com/codes/north-dakota/2009/t34/pdf/t34c061.pdf'; $(document).ready(function() { var embedwindow = $("#embed_document"); if ($.browser.msie){ embedwindow.html('<embed src="'+pdf_url+'" width="100%" height="100%"></embed>'); } else { embedwindow.html('<iframe style="width:100%; height:100%;" src="https://docs.google.com/gview?url='+window.escape(pdf_url)+'&embedded=true" frameborder="0"></iframe>'); } });</script><br><br><noframes>CHAPTER 34-06.1EQUAL PAY FOR MEN AND WOMEN34-06.1-01. Declaration of public policy. The public policy of this state is declared tobe that the practice of discriminating on the basis of sex by paying wages to employees of one<br>sex at a lesser rate than the rate paid to employees of the opposite sex for comparable work on<br>jobs which have comparable requirements unjustly discriminates against the person receiving the<br>lesser rate; leads to low worker morale, high turnover, and frequent labor unrest; discourages<br>workers paid at the lesser wage rates from training for higher level jobs; curtails employment<br>opportunities, decreases workers' mobility, and increases labor costs; impairs purchasing power<br>and threatens the maintenance of an adequate standard of living by such workers and their<br>families; prevents optimum utilization of the state's available labor resources; threatens the<br>well-being of citizens of this state; and adversely affects the general welfare.It is thereforedeclared to be the policy of this state through exercise of its police power to correct and, as<br>rapidly as possible, to eliminate discriminatory wage practices based on sex.34-06.1-02. Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context or subject matter otherwiserequires:1."Commissioner" means the labor commissioner.2."Employ" includes to suffer or permit to work.3."Employee" means any individual employed by an employer, including individuals<br>employed by the state or any of its political subdivisions, including public bodies.4."Employer" means any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an<br>employer in relation to one or more employees of each sex.5."Occupation" includes any industry, trade, business or branch thereof, or any<br>employment or class of employment, but does not include domestic employment in<br>private homes.6."Person" includes one or more individuals, partnerships, corporations, limited liability<br>companies, legal representatives, trustees, trustees in bankruptcy, or voluntary<br>associations.7."Wage rate" means all compensation for employment, including payment in kind and<br>amounts paid by employers for employee benefits, as defined by the commissioner<br>in regulations issued under this chapter.34-06.1-03.Prohibition of discrimination. No employer may discriminate betweenemployees in the same establishment on the basis of gender, by paying wages to any employee<br>in any occupation in this state at a rate less than the rate at which the employer pays any<br>employee of the opposite gender for comparable work on jobs which have comparable<br>requirements relating to skill, effort, and responsibility. Differentials that are paid pursuant to<br>established seniority systems, job descriptive systems, merit increase systems, or executive<br>training programs, and which do not discriminate on the basis of gender, are not within this<br>prohibition. An employer who is paying a wage differential in violation of this chapter may not, in<br>order to comply with this chapter, reduce the wage rates of any employee. No person may<br>cause or attempt to cause an employer to discriminate against any employee in violation of this<br>chapter. No employer may discharge or discriminate against any employee by reason of any<br>action taken by the employee to invoke or assist in any manner the enforcement of this chapter,<br>except when proven that the act of the employee is fraudulent.34-06.1-04. Powers of commissioner. The commissioner has the power and duty tocarry out the provisions of this chapter and for this purpose, the commissioner, or the<br>commissioner's authorized representative, has power to:Page No. 11.With the consent of the employer or upon appropriate court order, for cause, enter<br>the place of employment of any employer to inspect and copy payrolls and other<br>employment records, to compare character of work and operations on which<br>persons employed by the employer are engaged, to question such persons, and to<br>obtain such other information as is reasonably necessary to the administration and<br>enforcement of this chapter.2.Examine witnesses under oath, and to require by subpoena the attendance and<br>testimony of witnesses and the production of any documentary evidence relating to<br>the subject matter of any investigation undertaken pursuant to this section.3.Eliminate pay practices unlawful under this chapter, by informal methods of<br>conference, conciliation and persuasion, and to supervise the payment of wages<br>owing to any employee under this chapter.4.Issue such regulations, not inconsistent with the purpose of this chapter, as the<br>commissioner deems necessary or appropriate to carry out its provisions.Witnesses summoned by the commissioner or the commissioner's authorized representative<br>must be paid the same fees as are allowed witnesses attending the district courts of this state. In<br>the event of the failure of a person to attend, testify, or produce documents under or in response<br>to a subpoena, the court on application of the commissioner or the commissioner's<br>representative may issue an order requiring said person to appear before the commissioner or<br>authorized representative, or to produce documentary evidence, and any failure to obey such<br>order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.34-06.1-05. Collection of unpaid wages and other relief. Any employer who violatesthe provisions of section 34-06.1-03 is liable to the employee or employees affected in the<br>amount of their unpaid wages and in instances of willful violation in employee suits up to an<br>additional equal amount as liquidated damages.Action to recover such liability may bemaintained in any court of competent jurisdiction by any one or more employees for and in behalf<br>of the employee or group of employees and other employees similarly situated. The court in<br>such action shall, in cases of violation in addition to any judgment awarded to the plaintiff or<br>plaintiffs, allow a reasonable attorney's fee to be paid by the defendant, and costs of the action.<br>An agreement by any such employee to work for less than the wage to which such employee is<br>entitled under this chapter is not a bar to any such action or to a voluntary wage restitution of the<br>full amount due under this chapter. At the written request of any employee claiming to have<br>been paid less than the wage to which the employee may be entitled under this chapter, the<br>commissioner may bring any legal action necessary in behalf of the employee to collect such<br>claim for unpaid wages. The commissioner may not be required to pay the filing fee, or other<br>costs, in connection with such action. The commissioner has the power to join various claims<br>against the employer in one claim for relief. In proceedings under this section, the court may<br>order other affirmative action as appropriate, including reinstatement of employees discharged in<br>violation of this chapter. The commissioner has the power to petition any court of competent<br>jurisdiction to restrain violations of section 34-06.1-03, and for such affirmative relief as the court<br>may deem appropriate, including restoration of unpaid wages and reinstatement of employees,<br>consistent with the purpose of this chapter.34-06.1-06. Statute of limitations. Court action under this chapter may be commencedno later than two years after the claim for relief occurs.34-06.1-07. Records and reporting. Every employer subject to this chapter shall make,keep, and maintain such records of the wages and wage rates, job classifications, and other<br>terms and conditions of employment of the persons employed by the employer, and shall<br>preserve such records for such periods of time, and shall make such reports therefrom as the<br>commissioner prescribes.34-06.1-08. Posting of law. Repealed by S.L. 1997, ch. 296, <!-- END .shortcode-content -->
</div>
</div>
<!-- END .main-content-left -->
</div>
<!-- BEGIN .main-content-right -->
<div class="main-content-right">
<!-- BEGIN .main-nosplit -->
<div class="main-nosplit">
<!--<div class="widget-0 first panel">
<h3>Advertising</h3>
<script type="text/javascript">
/*
var rkbspt = document.createElement('script');
rkbspt.type = 'text/javascript';
rkbspt.src = 'https://c.amazon-adsystem.com/aax2/getads.js';
var rkbscpt = document.querySelector('.widget-0.panel').appendChild(rkbspt);
rkbscpt.onload = function(){
aax_getad_mpb({
"slot_uuid":"557c365d-8984-4710-a63b-62d1baabc10e"
});
};
*/
</script>
<script id="mNCC" language="javascript">
medianet_width = "336";
medianet_height = "280";
medianet_crid = "436333511";
medianet_versionId = "3111299";
</script>
<script src="//contextual.media.net/nmedianet.js?cid=8CUC4DD64"></script>
<script type="text/javascript">
var e9 = new Object();
e9.size = "300x250";
e9.noAd = 1;
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//tags.expo9.exponential.com/tags/Lawscom/BTF/tags.js"></script>
</div>-->
<div class="widget_text widget-1 first panel"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
e9 = new Object();
e9.size = "300x250,300x600";
e9.noAd = 1;
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//tags.expo9.exponential.com/tags/Lawscom/ROS/tags.js"></script></div></div><div class="widget-2 panel"><div class="menu-top-menu-container"><ul id="menu-top-menu-1" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-154" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-154 custom-class-1"><a href="https://www.laws.com/">Laws</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-155" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-155 custom-class-2"><a href="https://lawyer.laws.com/">Lawyers</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-156" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-156 custom-class-3"><a href="https://find.laws.com/">Find Laws</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-157" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-157 custom-class-4"><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/">Legal Forms</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-158" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-158 custom-class-5"><a href="https://state-laws.laws.com/">State Laws</a></li>
</ul></div></div><div class="widget_text widget-3 panel"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
e9 = new Object();
e9.size = "300x250,300x600";
e9.noAd = 1;
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//tags.expo9.exponential.com/tags/Lawscom/ROS/tags.js"></script></div></div><div class="widget_text widget-4 last panel"><div class="textwidget custom-html-widget"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
e9 = new Object();
e9.size = "300x250,300x600";
e9.noAd = 1;
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//tags.expo9.exponential.com/tags/Lawscom/ROS/tags.js"></script></div></div>
<!-- END .main-nosplit -->
</div>
<!-- END .main-content-right -->
</div>
<div class="clear-float"></div>
<!-- END .wrapper -->
</div>
<!-- BEGIN .content -->
</div>
<!-- BEGIN .footer -->
<div class="footer">
<!-- BEGIN .wrapper -->
<div class="wrapper">
<div class="banner-block">
<!-- <a href="http://www.orange-themes.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/images/banner-468x60.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a>-->
</div>
<!-- Disable breaking news slider - Peter - 7 Apr 2015 -->
<!-- BEGIN .footer-content -->
<div class="footer-content">
<div class="footer-menu">
<ul class="load-responsive" rel="Footer Menu"><li id="menu-item-148" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-148 custom-class-1"><a href="https://www.laws.com/">Laws</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-149" class="menu_red menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-149 custom-class-2"><a href="https://lawyer.laws.com/">Lawyers</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-150" class="menu_green menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-150 custom-class-3"><a href="https://find.laws.com/">Find Laws</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-152" class="menu_boldred menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-152 custom-class-4"><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/">Legal Forms</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-151" class="menu_blue menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-151 custom-class-5"><a href="https://state-laws.laws.com/">State Laws</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="left">
<ul>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/alabama-forms">Alabama Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/alaska-forms">Alaska Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/arizona-forms">Arizona Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/arkansas-forms">Arkansas Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/california-forms">California Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/colorado-forms">Colorado Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/connecticut-forms">Connecticut Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/district-of-columbia-forms">District Of Columbia Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/delaware-forms">Delaware Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/florida-forms">Florida Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/georgia-forms">Georgia Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/idaho-forms">Idaho Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/hawaii-forms">Hawaii Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/illinois-forms">Illinois Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/indiana-forms">Indiana Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/iowa-forms">Iowa Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/kansas-forms">Kansas Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/kentucky-forms">Kentucky Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/louisiana-forms">Louisiana Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/maine-forms">Maine Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/maryland-forms">Maryland Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/massachusetts-forms">Massachusetts Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/michigan-forms">Michigan Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/minnesota-forms">Minnesota Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/mississippi-forms">Mississippi Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/missouri-forms">Missouri Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/montana-forms">Montana Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/nebraska-forms">Nebraska Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/nevada-forms">Nevada Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/new-hampshire-forms">New Hampshire Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/new-jersey-forms">New Jersey Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/new-mexico-forms">New Mexico Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/new-york-forms">New York Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/north-carolina-forms">North Carolina Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/north-dakota-forms">North Dakota Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/ohio-forms">Ohio Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/oklahoma-forms">Oklahoma Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/oregon-forms">Oregon Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/pennsylvania-forms">Pennsylvania Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/rhode-island-forms">Rhode Island Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/south-carolina-forms">South Carolina Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/south-dakota-forms">South Dakota Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/tennessee-forms">Tennessee Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/texas-forms">Texas Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/utah-forms">Utah Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/vermont-forms">Vermont Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/virginia-forms">Virginia Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/washington-forms">Washington Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/west-virginia-forms">West Virginia Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/wisconsin-forms">Wisconsin Forms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://legal-forms.laws.com/wyoming-forms">Wyoming Forms</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/alabama">Alabama Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/alaska">Alaska Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/arizona">Arizona Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/arkansas">Arkansas Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/california">California Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/connecticut">Connecticut Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/delaware">Delaware Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/district-of-columbia">District of Columbia Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/florida">Florida Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/georgia">Georgia Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/hawaii">Hawaii Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/idaho">Idaho Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/illinois">Illinois Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/indiana">Indiana Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/iowa">Iowa Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/kansas">Kansas Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/kentucky">Kentucky Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/louisiana">Louisiana Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/maine">Maine Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/maryland">Maryland Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/massachusetts">Massachusetts Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/michigan">Michigan Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/minnesota">Minnesota Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/mississippi">Mississippi Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/missouri">Missouri Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/montana">Montana Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/nebraska">Nebraska Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/nevada">Nevada Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/new-hampshire">New Hampshire Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/new-jersey">New Jersey Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/new-mexico">New Mexico Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/new-york">New York Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/north-carolina">North Carolina Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/north-dakota">North Dakota Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/ohio">Ohio Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/oklahoma">Oklahoma Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/oregon">Oregon Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/pennsylvania">Pennsylvania Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/rhode-island">Rhode Island Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/south-carolina">South Carolina Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/south-dakota">South Dakota Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/tennessee">Tennessee Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/texas">Texas Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/utah">Utah Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/vermont">Vermont Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/washington">Washington Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/west-virginia">West Virginia Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/wisconsin">Wisconsin Codes & Statutes</a></li>
<li><a href="https://statutes.laws.com/wyoming">Wyoming Codes & Statutes</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</center><br>
<div class="footer-menu">
<ul class="load-responsive" rel="Footer Menu"><li id="menu-item-34164" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-34164"><a href="https://www.laws.com/category/about">Contact Us</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-34165" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-34165"><a href="https://marketing.laws.com">Lawyer Marketing</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-34166" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-34166"><a href="https://advertising.laws.com/">Advertise on Laws.com</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-34167" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-34167"><a href="https://www.laws.com/category/AboutUs">About Us</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-34168" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-34168"><a href="https://www.laws.com/category/TermsOfUse">Terms of Use</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-34169" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-34169"><a href="https://www.laws.com/category/PrivacyPolicy">Privacy Policy</a></li>
<li id="menu-item-34170" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom menu-item-34170"><a href="https://www.laws.com/category/AdvertisingPolicy">Advertising Policy</a></li>
</ul> </div>
<strong>Disclaimer</strong> <br>There is no confidential attorney-client relationship formed by using Laws.com website and information provided on this site is not legal advice. For legal advice, please contact your attorney. Attorneys listed on this website are not referred or endorsed by this website. By using Laws.com you agree to Laws.com Terms Of Use.<br>
Copyright © 2017 Laws.com | All rights reserved
</div>
<!--<div class="right">Designed by <a href="https://laws.com" target="_blank">Laws.com</a></div>-->
<div class="clear-float"></div>
<!-- END .footer-content -->
</div>
<!-- END .wrapper -->
</div>
<!-- END .footer -->
</div>
<!-- END .boxed -->
</div>
<div class="lightbox">
<div class="lightcontent-loading">
<h2 class="light-title">Loading..</h2>
<a href="#" onclick="javascript:lightboxclose();" class="light-close"><i class="fa fa-times"></i>Close Window</a>
<div class="loading-box">
<h3>Loading, Please Wait!</h3>
<span>This may take a second or two.</span>
<span class="loading-image"><img src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/images/loading.gif" title="" alt="" /></span>
</div>
</div>
<div class="lightcontent"></div>
</div>
<script>
window.RS_MODULES = window.RS_MODULES || {};
window.RS_MODULES.modules = window.RS_MODULES.modules || {};
window.RS_MODULES.waiting = window.RS_MODULES.waiting || [];
window.RS_MODULES.defered = true;
window.RS_MODULES.moduleWaiting = window.RS_MODULES.moduleWaiting || {};
window.RS_MODULES.type = 'compiled';
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
var relevanssi_rt_regex = /(&|\?)_(rt|rt_nonce)=(\w+)/g
var newUrl = window.location.search.replace(relevanssi_rt_regex, '')
history.replaceState(null, null, window.location.pathname + newUrl + window.location.hash)
</script>
<link rel='stylesheet' id='rs-plugin-settings-css' href='https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/revslider/public/assets/css/rs6.css?ver=6.6.11' type='text/css' media='all' />
<style id='rs-plugin-settings-inline-css' type='text/css'>
#rs-demo-id {}
</style>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/swv/js/index.js?ver=5.9.3" id="swv-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" id="contact-form-7-js-extra">
/* <![CDATA[ */
var wpcf7 = {"api":{"root":"https:\/\/statutes.laws.com\/wp-json\/","namespace":"contact-form-7\/v1"},"cached":"1"};
/* ]]]]><![CDATA[> */
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/contact-form-7/includes/js/index.js?ver=5.9.3" id="contact-form-7-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" id="wpil-frontend-script-js-extra">
/* <![CDATA[ */
var wpilFrontend = {"ajaxUrl":"\/wp-admin\/admin-ajax.php","postId":"19","postType":"post","openInternalInNewTab":"1","openExternalInNewTab":"1","disableClicks":"0","openLinksWithJS":"0","trackAllElementClicks":"0","clicksI18n":{"imageNoText":"Image in link: No Text","imageText":"Image Title: ","noText":"No Anchor Text Found"}};
/* ]]]]><![CDATA[> */
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/link-whisper-premium/js/frontend.min.js?ver=1708797351" id="wpil-frontend-script-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/revslider/public/assets/js/rbtools.min.js?ver=6.6.11" defer async id="tp-tools-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/revslider/public/assets/js/rs6.min.js?ver=6.6.11" defer async id="revmin-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/effect.min.js?ver=1.13.2" id="jquery-effects-core-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-includes/js/jquery/ui/effect-slide.min.js?ver=1.13.2" id="jquery-effects-slide-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/js/admin/jquery.c00kie.js?ver=1.0" id="cookies-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/js/jquery.floating_popup.1.3.min.js?ver=1.0" id="banner-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/js/theme-scripts.js?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7" id="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/js/-scripts-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/js/jquery.event.move.js?ver=1.3.1" id="move-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/js/jquery.event.swipe.js?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7" id="swipe-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/js_composer/assets/lib/bower/isotope/dist/isotope.pkgd.min.js?ver=7.5" id="isotope-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-includes/js/imagesloaded.min.js?ver=5.0.0" id="imagesloaded-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-includes/js/masonry.min.js?ver=4.2.2" id="masonry-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/js/jquery.infinitescroll.min.js?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7" id="infinitescroll-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/js/lightbox.js?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7" id="lightbox-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/js/iscroll.js?ver=a5641cd4dc387370aaa12d48da898bd7" id="iscroll-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/js/ot_gallery.js?ver=1.0" id="ot-gallery-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/js/scripts.js?ver=1.0" id="ot-scripts-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/themes/legatus/js/legatus.js?ver=1.0.0" id="scripts-wp-js"></script>
<script type="text/javascript" id="toc-front-js-extra">
/* <![CDATA[ */
var tocplus = {"visibility_show":"show","visibility_hide":"hide","width":"Auto"};
var tocplus = {"visibility_show":"show","visibility_hide":"hide","width":"Auto"};
var tocplus = {"visibility_show":"show","visibility_hide":"hide","width":"Auto"};
/* ]]]]><![CDATA[> */
</script>
<script type="text/javascript" src="https://statutes.laws.com/wp-content/plugins/table-of-contents-plus/front.min.js?ver=2309" id="toc-front-js"></script>
<script></script>
<!-- END body -->
</body>
<!-- END html -->
</html>]]>