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119-hr-5115119th CongressWALLET

Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

Introduced

Summary

Bars mandatory arbitration for age-discrimination claims. This bill would make predispute arbitration agreements and predispute joint-action waivers not valid or enforceable for disputes alleging age discrimination against people who are 40 or older under Federal, Tribal, State, or local law.

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  • People 40 and older who allege age discrimination could choose court proceedings instead of arbitration. This right can be exercised by the individual claimant or a named class representative in a class or collective action.
  • Employers could no longer rely on predispute arbitration clauses or predispute joint-action waivers to force those age-discrimination disputes into arbitration. This removes a common contractual barrier to court cases.
  • Federal courts, not arbitrators, would decide whether this new chapter applies and whether an arbitration agreement is valid or enforceable. Those determinations would follow federal law.
  • The rule would cover any dispute or claim that arises or accrues on or after the date of enactment across Federal, Tribal, State, and local law.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

People 40+ could skip forced arbitration

If you are 40 or older, you could opt out of forced arbitration for age-bias disputes. You or a class representative could also void any waiver that blocks class or group cases. A court, not an arbitrator, would decide if an arbitration clause applies. The rule would cover discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or disparate impact under federal, state, Tribal, or local law. It would apply to claims that arise on or after the date of enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]

NY • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 4/27/2026

  • Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]

    DC • D

    Sponsored 6/3/2026

  • Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 6/4/2026

  • Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 6/8/2026

  • Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 6/23/2026

  • Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 7/2/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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