Latest Action: 09/29/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to require employers to keep records of non-employees who perform labor or services for remuneration and to provide a special penalty for employers who misclassify employees as non-employees, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 10/13/2008 - Became Public Law No: 110-406.

Bill Text
A bill to make improvements in the operation and administration of the Federal courts, and for other purposes. 10/13/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.) Judicial Administration and Technical Amendments Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the federal judicial code to: (1) move Dyer County from the Western Division to the Eastern Division of the Western Judicial District of Tennessee; and (2) make Dyersburg a site where the Court for the Eastern Division shall be held. (Sec. 3) Reduces from 30 days to 10 days the minimum length of time a petit juror must serve on a trial before the court may pay a supplemental attendance fee. (Sec. 4) Changes from a requirement to discretionary the authority of the district court to order any person summoned for jury service who fails to appear as directed to [...]

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Latest Action: 06/05/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5214-5215)

Bill Text
A bill to extend and improve the effectiveness of the employment eligibility confirmation program. 6/5/2008--Introduced. Electronic Employment Verification Reauthorization Act of 2008 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to make the employment eligibility confirmation pilot programs permanent. Redesignates the basic pilot program as the E-verify program (program). Requires that any person or employer that enters into a federal contract participate in the program. Requires that an employer electing to verify the employment eligibility of existing employees do so not later than 10 days after notifying the Secretary of Homeland Security of such election. Authorizes the Secretary to require an employer or class of employers to participate in the program if the Secretary has reasonable cause to believe that the employer has engaged in material employment violations under the Immigration and Nationality Act.[...]

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Latest Action: 06/02/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support.

Bill Text
To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to require employers to keep records of non-employees who perform labor or services for remuneration and to provide a special penalty for employers who misclassify employees as non-employees, and for other purposes. 5/21/2008--Introduced. Employee Misclassification Prevention Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to require every employer to: (1) keep records of non-employees (contractors) who perform labor or services (except substitute work) for remuneration; and (2) provide certain notice to each employee and non-employee, including their classification as an employee or non-employee and information concerning their rights under the law. Makes it unlawful for any person to fail to accurately classify an employee or non-employee. Doubles the amount of liquidated damages for maximum hours, minimum wage, and notice of classification violations by an employer. Subjects a person who repeatedly or willfully violates [...]

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Latest Action: 05/13/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E897-898)

Bill Text
To amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide compensatory time for employees in the private sector. 5/13/2008--Introduced. Family-Friendly Workplace Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to authorize private employers to provide compensatory time off to private employees, at a rate of 1 1/2 hours per hour of employment for which overtime compensation is required. Authorizes an employer to provide compensatory time only if it is in accordance with an applicable collective bargaining agreement or, in the absence of such an agreement, an agreement between the employer and employee. Prohibits an employee from accruing more than 160 hours of compensatory time. Requires an employee's employer to provide monetary compensation, after the end of a calendar year, for any unused compensatory time off accrued during the preceding year. Requires an employer to give employees 30-day notice before discontinuing compensatory time off. Prohibits [...]

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Latest Action: 06/03/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To amend the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to make permanent the E-Verify program, and for other purposes.

5/8/2008--Introduced.

Improving Methods to Promote Regular Occurrences of the Verification of Employability Status Act of 2008 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to eliminate the pilot program status of the E-verify (employment authorization) program.

Revises confirmation provisions. Adds provisions respecting fraudulent documentation and sanctions. Provides that information posters required to be displayed shall be written only in English.

Latest Action: 04/10/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to provide emergency relief for United States businesses and industries currently employing temporary foreign workers and for other purposes. 4/10/2008--Introduced. Global Competitiveness Act of 2008 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend the annual cap exemption for returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural workers). Revises H-1B nonimmigrant visa (specialty occupation) provisions regarding: (1) recapture of unused visas (including a recapture fee); (2) visa increases and increases for exemptions from numerical limitations for aliens with higher education degrees; (3) increased employer petition fees; (4) employer restrictions on outsourcing, advertising, and hiring; and (5) enforcement, information sharing, and labor application penalty increases. Amends the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 regarding: (1) recapture of unused employment-based immigrant visas and redistribution to specified employment [...]

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Latest Action: 04/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase penalties for employing illegal aliens.

4/3/2008--Introduced.

10k Run for the Border Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to increase employer civil fines for: (1) hiring, or recruiting or referring for a fee, an alien that the employer knows is not authorized for employment; and (2) continuing to employ such alien.

Sets forth a federal-state (and local) allocation of such additional penalty funds.

Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - House Committee on Energy and Commerce Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Jan. 3, 2009.

Bill Text
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to extend, modify, and recodify the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security to enhance security and protect against acts of terrorism against chemical facilities, and for other purposes. 3/14/2008--Reported to House without amendment, Part I.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Act of 2008 - (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Homeland Security should: (1) extend and modify the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards; (2) take a holistic approach to securing sources of chemicals against a terrorist attack; and (3) expediently exercise existing authority to ensure that by focusing on chemicals at fixed site facilities, risk is not transferred to other potential sources of such chemicals.(Sec. 4) Amends [...]

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Latest Action: 03/06/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 596.

Bill Text
A bill to improve the enforcement of laws prohibiting the employment of unauthorized aliens and for other purposes.

3/5/2008--Introduced.

Worksite Enforcement Act of 2008 - Sets forth immigration-related worksite enforcement provisions, including provisions respecting: (1) unlawful employment of aliens; (2) disclosure of taxpayer information; (3) social security cards and identity documents; (4) establishment of a voluntary advanced verification program to allow employers to verify an employee's fingerprints in order to determine identity and work status; (5) responsibilities of the Social Security Administration (SSA); (6) immigration-related activities of the SSA and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); and (7) criminal penalties for misuse of social security numbers.

Latest Action: 03/06/2008 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 595.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the Department of Homeland Security to use an employer's failure to timely resolve discrepancies with the Social Security Administration after receiving a "no match" notice as evidence that the employer violated section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act. 3/5/2008--Introduced. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use an employer's failure to timely resolve discrepancies with the Social Security Administration (SSA) after receiving a "no match" notice as evidence that the employer violated unlawful employment provisions under such Act. Provides that an employee's firing by an employer having constructive knowledge that the employee is not authorized to work in the United States based on SSA notice that the name and number provided by the employee do not match, and cannot be corrected to match, SSA records shall not be considered an unfair immigration-related employment [...]

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Latest Action: 04/17/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To amend the Social Security Act to prevent unauthorized earnings from being credited toward benefits under title II of such Act and to make improvements in provisions governing totalization agreements, to amend the Social Security Act and the Immigration and Nationality Act to prevent unauthorized employment, and to improve coordination of the provisions of such Acts, and for other purposes. 2/28/2008--Introduced. New Employee Verification Act of 2008 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to require employers to verify employee identification and employment eligibility under the Electronic Employment Verification System (EEVS) or the Secure Employment Eligibility Verification System (SEEVS) (as established by this Act). Permits employers subject to employee verification requirements to do so under EEVS or SEEVS. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) voluntary and expedited participation; (2) employer penalties for failure to participate in EEVS [...]

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Latest Action: 03/11/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
To protect employees from invasion of privacy by employers by prohibiting video and audio monitoring of employees when in an area where it is reasonable to expect employees to change clothing.

2/6/2008--Introduced.

Employee Changing Room Privacy Act - Prohibits employers from engaging in video or audio monitoring of employees in restroom facilities, dressing rooms, or other areas in which it is reasonable to expect employees to change clothing. Prohibits employers from using monitoring results for any purpose and requires employers to immediately destroy any violating recording. Prohibits retaliation.

Allows video monitoring or audio monitoring by a law enforcement agency as part of a criminal investigation and with a warrant.

Provides for enforcement by the Secretary of Labor. Allows private suits by aggrieved employees.

Asserts that this Act does not alter state law or collective bargaining agreements except where inconsistent with this Act.

Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction

Bill Text
To provide for each American the opportunity to provide for his or her retirement through a S.A.F.E. account, and for other purposes. 12/19/2007--Introduced. Savings Account for Every American Act of 2007 - Allows employees and self-employed individuals with a social security number to elect to participate in a S.A.F.E. account. Defines such an account as a trust created exclusively for the benefit of an individual or his or her beneficiaries. Requires: (1) employers of electing employees to establish a payroll deduction program to make employee contributions (6.2% of wages) to such accounts; and (2) employer matching contributions after a participating employee has maintained an account for 15 years. Imposes penalties on employers who fail to make required payroll deductions or pay deducted wages to S.A.F.E. accounts. Directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to study and report to the President and Congress on extending S.A.F.E. accounts to federal civilian [...]

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Latest Action: 02/25/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To reform immigration to serve the national interest. 11/15/2007--Introduced. Optimizing Visa Entry Rules and Demanding Uniform Enforcement Immigration Reform Act of 2007 or the OVERDUE Immigration Reform Act of 2007 - Revises worldwide immigration level and visa allotment provisions, including establishment of specified new nonimmigrant classifications. Provides citizenship or nationality at birth for a person born in the United States only if such child was born to parents, one of whom is: (1) a U.S. citizen or national; or (2) a lawful permanent resident alien. Authorizes the use of the military to help secure the borders. Provides for increases of immigration and border enforcement personnel. Suspends the visa waiver program. Provides criminal penalties and forfeiture for unlawful presence in the United States. Provides for listing of immigration violators in the National Crime Information Center Database. Increases civil [...]

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Latest Action: 01/22/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To streamline the administration of whistleblower protections for private sector employees. 11/1/2007--Introduced. Private Sector Whistleblower Protection Streamlining Act of 2007 - Sets forth whistleblower protections for private sector, state, and municipal employees who are retaliated or discriminated against by an employer for disclosing threats to public safety or violations of federal law. Authorizes a whistleblower who has been discharged or discriminated against by an employer to seek appropriate relief either by: (1) filing a complaint with the Secretary of Labor; or (2) bringing an action at law or equity in the appropriate U.S. district court. Prohibits restrictions on whistleblowing and relief provided under this Act. Establishes the Whistleblower Protection Office within the Employment Standards Administration of the Department of Labor. Makes conforming whistleblower amendments to the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Federal Mine [...]

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Latest Action: 01/15/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

Bill Text
To provide job protection for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. 10/31/2007--Introduced. Job Protection for Survivors Act - Prohibits an employer from failing to hire, or to discharge, harass, or otherwise discriminate against an individual with respect to his or her employment because he or she was a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Entitles such employee to: (1) a total of 15 days of unpaid leave during any 12-month period to obtain certain victim services; and (2) leave for court proceedings resulting from an incident of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Makes it unlawful for an employer to interfere with, or discriminate against, any employee exercising any right provided under this Act. Authorizes an employee to file an action for damages or equitable relief in federal or state court against an employer who violates the requirements of this Act.[...]

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Latest Action: 01/15/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To continue to prohibit the hiring, recruitment, or referral of unauthorized aliens, and for other purposes. 10/29/2007--Introduced. Combat Illegal Immigration Through Employment Verification Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make employment of unauthorized aliens unlawful. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) employer document verification requirements; and (2) employment authorization and/or identity documents. Sets forth employment eligibility verification system (EEVS) provisions. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) provide for the disclosure of certain taxpayer identity information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assist in immigration enforcement; and (2) increase specified penalties for employer failure to provide correct information returns. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to establish within the Criminal Investigation office of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a unit to investigate tax-related [...]

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Latest Action: 01/22/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
To approve a final rule of the Department of Homeland Security relating to employers who receive a "no-match" letter from the Commissioner of Social Security.

10/23/2007--Introduced.

Approves the final rule promulgated by the Department of Homeland Security entitled "Safe-Harbor Procedures for Employers Who Receive a No-Match Letter."

Declares that such rule shall have the force and effect of enacted law until changed by law.

Latest Action: 10/17/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To permit the Secretary of Labor to make an administrative determination of the amount of unpaid wages owed for certain violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act in the New Orleans region after Hurricane Katrina.

10/17/2007--Introduced.

Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to make an administrative determination of the amount of unpaid minimum wages or unpaid overtime compensation and an additional equal amount as liquidated damages owed to employees by an employer for certain violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act committed in the New Orleans region after Hurricane Katrina. Authorizes the Secretary to bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover the amount of such wages and liquidated damages.

Latest Action: 10/25/2007 - Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 110-410.

Bill Text
To amend the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to minimize the adverse effects of employment dislocation, and for other purposes. 10/25/2007--Reported to House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Early Warning and Health Care for Workers Affected by Globalization Act - Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the Act) to redefine the terms "employer," "plant closing," "mass layoff", and "employees" for purposes of the Act. Requires an employer to: (1) give 90-day written notice (under current law, 60-day) to employees (including part-time employees) and appropriate state and local governments before ordering a plant closing or mass layoff; (2) notify the Secretary of Labor (Secretary) of such closing or layoff; and (3) provide affected employees with information regarding benefits and services available to them, including unemployment compensation, trade adjustment assistance,[...]

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Latest Action: 10/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To amend the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to improve such Act. 9/25/2007--Introduced. Forewarn Act of 2007 - Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the Act) to redefine the terms "employer," "plant closing," and "mass layoff" for purposes of the Act to, among other things, make the Act applicable to employers of 50 or more employees (under current law, 100 employees). Requires an employer to: (1) give 90-day written notice (under current law, 60-day) to employees and appropriate state and government officials before ordering a plant closing or mass layoff; and (2) give notice of such closing or layoff to the Secretary of Labor (including the number of employees), to U.S. and state Senators and Representatives who represent the area in which the plant is located, and to the Governor of the state in which the plant is located and to the chief elected official of the unit of local government within [...]

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Latest Action: 10/12/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for no preemption of certain State and local laws regarding employment eligibility verification requirements. 9/20/2007--Introduced. Local Law Enforcement Restoration Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to state that specified unlawful alien employment provisions shall not preempt any state or local law that imposes: (1) employment eligibility verification requirements imposed upon employers or employees consistent with or in addition to employment eligibility verification requirements; (2) civil or criminal penalties for violation of such state or local employment eligibility verification requirements; (3) civil or criminal penalties for prohibited acts; (4) licensing sanctions for violation of such state or local employment eligibility verification requirements; (5) licensing sanctions for prohibited acts; or (6) limitations on the private right to sue for up to treble damages. (Current law provides that [...]

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Latest Action: 09/10/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

Bill Text
To improve the H-1B nonimmigrant program by increasing the exchange of information between the Departments of Labor and Homeland Security.

7/26/2007--Introduced.

H1B Strengthening Anti-Fraud Effectiveness Act or H1B SAFE Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security, if the Secretary has specific information concerning an employer's improper hiring of a nonimmigrant H-1B alien (temporary employment in a specialty occupation or as a fashion model), to provide the Secretary of Labor with such information which may be used to initiate a Department of Labor compliance investigation.

Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to require an employer filing an H-1B labor condition application with the Department of Labor to include the application number on the subsequent H-1B petition filed with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Latest Action: 09/26/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S12134-12135)

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to improve such Act. 7/16/2007--Introduced. FOREWARN Act of 2007 - Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the Act) to to revise the terms "employer," "plant closing," and "mass layoff" for purposes of the Act. Requires an employer to: (1) give 90-day written notice (under current law, 60-day) to employees and appropriate state and local governments before ordering a plant closing or mass layoff; and (2) notify the Secretary of Labor within 60 days of such closing or layoff (including the number of employees involved). Makes an employer who violates such notice requirements liable to the employee for double the back pay (under current law, for back pay) for each day of the violation for up to 90 days (under current law, 60 days). Authorizes the Secretary to bring a civil action on behalf of one or more employees for certain relief under the [...]

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Latest Action: 09/11/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.

Bill Text
To strengthen enforcement of immigration laws, and gain operational control over the borders of the United States, and for other purposes. 7/10/2007--Introduced. Secure Borders FIRST (For Integrity, Reform, Safety, and Anti-Terrorism) Act of 2007 - Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) border security; (2) detention of dangerous aliens; (3) removal of alien gang members; (4) grants to state and local law enforcement agencies assisting with borders security and immigration enforcement; and (5) expedited removal on criminal or security grounds. Illegal Immigration Enforcement and Social Security Protection Act of 2007 - Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) social security identification; and (2) employer and recruiter requirements. Employment Eligibility Verification and Anti-Identity Theft Act - Establishes an employment eligibility and identity verification system. New IDEA (Illegal Deduction Elimination Act) - Amends the Internal Revenue Code (Code) [...]

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