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Title 29 — LaborRelease 119-73

§1862 Authority to obtain information

Title 29 › Chapter CHAPTER 20— - MIGRANT AND SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL WORKER PROTECTION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER V— - GENERAL PROVISIONS › Part Part B— - Administrative Provisions › § 1862

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Labor can investigate complaints or other matters to find out if the rules are being followed. To do that, the Secretary may enter and inspect places (including housing and vehicles), look at and copy records, ask people questions, and collect information. The Secretary can issue subpoenas to make witnesses appear or to get evidence, put people under oath, take testimony, and accept evidence. The Secretary may use the powers in sections 49 and 50 of title 15 for this. The Secretary must protect the privacy of complainants who act in good faith. It is a violation to resist, block, threaten, or interfere with Department of Labor officials doing these duties.

Full Legal Text

Title 29, §1862

Labor — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)To carry out this chapter the Secretary, either pursuant to a complaint or otherwise, shall, as may be appropriate, investigate, and in connection therewith, enter and inspect such places (including housing and vehicles) and such records (and make transcriptions thereof), question such persons and gather such information to determine compliance with this chapter, or regulations prescribed under this chapter.
(b)The Secretary may issue subpenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of any evidence in connection with such investigations. The Secretary may administer oaths, examine witnesses, and receive evidence. For the purpose of any hearing or investigation provided for in this chapter, the authority contained in section 49 and 50 of title 15, relating to the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, and documents, shall be available to the Secretary. The Secretary shall conduct investigations in a manner which protects the confidentiality of any complainant or other party who provides information to the Secretary in good faith.
(c)It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to unlawfully resist, oppose, impede, intimidate, or interfere with any official of the Department of Labor assigned to perform an investigation, inspection, or law enforcement function pursuant to this chapter during the performance of such duties.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective 90 days from Jan. 14, 1983, see section 524 of Pub. L. 97–470, set out as a note under section 1801 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

29 U.S.C. § 1862

Title 29 — Labor

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73