Policy News – September 21, 2023

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will hold a hearing Thursday, 9/21 at 10:00 AM ET titled “S. 1573, S. 2415, S. 1624, S._, Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act”.

 

Bills of Interest

Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12) introduced a bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit garment industry employers from paying employees by piece rate and to require manufacturers and contractors to register with the Department of Labor. 

Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-3) introduced a bill to provide subsidized summer and year-round employment for youth who face systemic barriers to employment and viable career options and to assist local community partnerships in improving high school graduation and youth employment rates. 

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21) introduced a bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the National Labor Relations Act to clarify the standard for determining whether an individual is an employee.

 

In The States

New York’s new statewide salary transparency law went into effect this week. The law mandates that employers with a minimum of four workers disclose pay ranges in job advertisements. This initiative is similar to other laws in California and Colorado, and aims to promote equal pay by preventing wage disparities based on demographic information.

California lawmakers concluded their legislative session with significant victories for organized labor, including minimum wage increases for fast-food and health-care workers and extended unemployment benefits for striking Hollywood employees. The bills await Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D) signature.

 

At the Agencies

The US Department of Labor announced $57.2 million in grants to twelve states to help prepare unemployed, underemployed people for high-quality jobs in expanding industries.

The US Small Business Administration has invited public comment on a proposed rule that would help expand access to SBA loan programs for people with certain criminal history records.