What does Preamble of HR 6597 do?

This bill is formally titled 'To safeguard the rights of workers and protect children by responsibly increasing civil monetary penalties and other means.' The bill aims to safeguard the rights of workers and protect children. The bill proposes increasing civil monetary penalties and utilizing other means to achieve its stated goals.

What does SHORT TITLE. of HR 6597 do?

This bill is formally titled the Labor Enforcement to Securely Protect Workers Act.

What does IMPROVED PROTECTION FOR WORKERS AND CHILDREN THROUGH MEANINGFUL of HR 6597 do?

This section amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to revise civil penalties for child labor violations, wage and hour protections, and workers' health and safety. Civil penalties for child labor violations are adjusted to a range of $1,500 to $150,000 per employee, with potential doubling for repeated or willful violations causing death or serious injury. The penalties for wage and hour violations are increased to a maximum of $25,000 per violation, or $50,000 for repeated or willful violations. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 is amended to increase civil penalties for various violations, ranging from $60,000 to $800,000. The Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act is amended to increase civil penalties for violations to $30,000. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 is amended to increase civil penalties, establish a process for delinquent payment of penalties including potential withdrawal orders, and increase penalties for retaliation. The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 is amended to increase civil penalties for interference with rights, failure to provide notice, and recordkeeping violations.

What does ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH PLANS. of HR 6597 do?

This section amends Section 502(c)(10)(A) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to expand enforcement authority to plan administrators and service providers, not just plan sponsors. The amendment expands the scope of enforcement to include failures related to genetic information and parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits. Section 502(c)(10) of ERISA is amended to update the heading to reflect the inclusion of parity in mental health and substance use disorder benefits alongside genetic information. Section 502(a)(6) of ERISA is amended to clarify the Secretary's authority to collect civil penalties. Section 502(b)(3) of ERISA is amended to specify exceptions to enforcement, including subsections (c)(9), (c)(10), and (a)(6) related to civil penalties, and excluding enforcement of section 712.

What does IMPROVING WORKPLACE DEMOCRACY THROUGH CIVIL MONETARY PENALTIES. of HR 6597 do?

This section amends Section 12 of the National Labor Relations Act to establish civil monetary penalties for unfair labor practices. Employers committing unfair labor practices under section 8(a) may be subject to a civil penalty not exceeding $50,000 per violation. The penalty may be doubled, up to $100,000, for violations of specific subsections of 8(a) (paragraphs 3 or 4) or those resulting in employee discharge or serious economic harm, especially if the employer has a history of such violations within the past 5 years. Civil penalties are in addition to any other remedies ordered by the Board. Funds collected as civil penalties will be deposited into the general fund of the Treasury. The Board will consider the gravity of the actions, the employer's size, the employer's history of penalties, and the public interest when determining penalty amounts. Directors or officers may be held personally liable and assessed civil penalties if the Board determines their personal liability is warranted, based on their involvement in or knowledge of the unfair labor practice.

What does SECURING WORKERS' RIGHTS THROUGH RESPONSIBLE RECORDKEEPING AND of HR 6597 do?

This section amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to extend the duration of violations related to recordkeeping until compliance or expiration of the recordkeeping requirement. It also amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to clarify that violations regarding recordkeeping continue until compliance or the recordkeeping requirement expires, specifically for enforcement under section 16(e)(3). The Secretary of Labor is required to promulgate or amend regulations within one year of the Act's enactment to implement these amendments. Congress considers subsection (c) a specific authorization for the Secretary of Labor to issue a new recordkeeping rule under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, referencing 5 U.S.C. 801(b)(2).

What does EFFECTIVE DATES; APPLICATION. of HR 6597 do?

Sections 2, 3, and 4 of this Act will become effective on January 1, 2027. These amendments apply to violations occurring on or after January 1, 2027, except as specified in section 2(e)(2)(B). Section 5 of this Act takes effect upon enactment of the Act. Section 5 applies to violations occurring on or after the date of enactment.

Back to bills

LET’S Protect Workers Act — HR. 6597

Last updated: 12/10/2025 · Introduced: 12/10/2025

Author: Robert Scott (D-VA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill increases civil monetary penalties for various labor law violations, including those related to child labor, wage and hour issues, worker health and safety, and violations of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.
It expands enforcement authority under ERISA to include plan administrators and service providers, and addresses failures related to genetic information and mental health/substance use disorder benefits.
The bill establishes new civil monetary penalties for unfair labor practices under the National Labor Relations Act, potentially holding directors or officers personally liable.
It extends the duration of recordkeeping violations under both the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act until compliance is achieved or the recordkeeping requirement expires.
Most provisions of the bill will take effect on January 1, 2027, applying to violations occurring on or after that date.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

7 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account