The minimum wage will rise this year in 19 states, in some cases climbing far above the federal minimum rate of $7.25 an hour. The rates are rising in numerous cities, too. As that federal-local rate divide grows, states and local governments are finding they will have to take on the burden of enforcing their higher rates as well.

That is forcing officials to become more proactive by putting more investigators on the case or by legally challenging some of the methods employers are using to deal with the law. Less confrontational ways to ensure compliance such as outreach and education are also being stepped up.