"The House today passed legislation that will make it harder for trial lawyers to file claims in such jurisdictions as Madison County, Illinois, that are known as havens for plaintiffs seeking large judgments. Judges would be required to hold hearings to assess the fairness of settlements, and settlements would be banned if lawyers' fees result in a net loss to consumers."

Upon receiving a complaint about a potential violation of wage and hour laws, DOL’s field offices around the country are now instructed to notify the DOL office in Little Rock, Arkansas, which will then notify Wal-Mart’s headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas of the complaint.

The 24 alleged violations, linked to stores in Arkansas, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, had to do with teenage workers who used hazardous equipment such as a chainsaw, paper balers, and forklifts.