Protecting America’s Workers Act
Sponsored By: Representative Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
Introduced
Summary
Would expand OSHA coverage to include public employees. It would also strengthen whistleblower protections, tighten reporting and recordkeeping, update standards, and sharply raise penalties for serious violations.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.
Stronger whistleblower rights for workers
If enacted, workers would get broader protection for reporting safety issues or injuries, or refusing dangerous work. Workers could file complaints within 180 days. The Secretary would have 90 days to decide on reasonable cause and could order quick relief. Workers could get reinstatement, back pay with interest, expungement, and attorneys’ fees. Rights could not be waived by agreement or arbitration. Employers would have to post notice of these rights. Changes would start 90 days after enactment.
Much higher OSHA fines for employers
If enacted, OSHA fine limits would rise sharply. Top caps would go up to $700,000 for some violations. Per‑day failure‑to‑fix caps would rise to $70,000. Repeat‑violation decisions would count an employer’s federal and state OSHA history. The Secretary would update amounts each year for inflation by January 15. These changes would start 90 days after enactment.
Tougher criminal penalties for deadly violations
If enacted, knowing safety violations that cause a death could bring fines or up to 10 years in prison. Repeat convictions could bring up to 20 years. Causing serious bodily harm could bring up to 5 years (10 years for repeat convictions). Officers and directors could be treated as employers. Knowingly giving advance notice to impede an inspection could bring fines or up to 5 years. These changes would start 90 days after enactment.
New reporting and public logs on injuries
If enacted, employers would have to quickly report any work‑related death. They would also report any inpatient hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye. Site‑controlling employers would keep a site log at multi‑employer worksites. Some employers would file annual electronic reports, and OSHA would make data searchable. Employers must preserve evidence for investigations, with narrow exceptions for urgent safety actions they report. OSHA would finalize a recordkeeping rule within 180 days. Most changes would start 90 days after enactment.
Oversight and deadlines for state OSHA plans
If enacted, the Secretary could take back enforcement when a State plan substantially fails. States could request a public hearing within 10 days; a hearing would occur within 15 days; a decision would follow within 30 days. Fix periods would usually be limited to 1 year, with narrow extensions. States would have to count an employer’s violations in other States when calling a violation repeated. Most changes would start 90 days after enactment. State plans would have 12 months to conform (with up to 12 more months if the legislature is not in session), and changes would take effect within 90 days after adoption. In States without an approved plan, the Act would take effect 36 months after enactment.
Grants for workplace safety training
If enacted, OSHA would fund nonprofit groups to train workers and employers on safety risks. Grants could support classes for high‑risk jobs and new training materials. The bill does not state funding amounts. Grants would start 90 days after enactment.
More voice for victims and hazard reviews
If enacted, victims and families would gain rights in OSHA cases. They could meet with the Secretary before citation decisions, get copies of reports, receive notices, speak at hearings, and weigh in on settlements. Each OSHA area office would have a family liaison. Also, after a written request, NIOSH would have to decide if a workplace agent or condition could be toxic and share findings with employers and affected employees. These changes would start 90 days after enactment.
Faster fixes and higher costs if hazards persist
If enacted, the clock to fix serious, willful, or repeated hazards would start when a citation is received, without an automatic stay. Employers could seek a fast stay only if likely to win and if worker safety would not be harmed. Hearings and decisions on stays would follow strict 15–30 day timelines. Daily penalties could apply until a serious, willful, or repeated hazard is fixed, and violations would be treated as continuing until corrected. Interest would accrue on contested penalties at the IRS underpayment rate, then at 8% after 30 days of a final order. Employers could also contest citation labels and proposed penalties, and the Secretary could keep inspecting during a contest. Citations would have to include the proper violation designation.
New rules on OSHA jurisdiction and decisions
If enacted, the Secretary could cede enforcement to another Federal agency when its protections are at least as effective, with a process to petition and court review within 60 days. The Secretary would have 90 days to decide a petition to rescind. Also, if the Review Commission lacks a quorum for a year after accepting a case, the judge’s decision would become final and could be appealed. These changes would start 90 days after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
CT • D
Cosponsors
Scott (VA)
VA • D
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
MN • D
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Norcross
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/28/2025
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/6/2025
McCollum
MN • D
Sponsored 7/10/2025
Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
MI • D
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Kennedy (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-WI-2]
WI • D
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 7/16/2025
Budzinski
IL • D
Sponsored 7/21/2025
Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]
CA • D
Sponsored 7/21/2025
Ocasio-Cortez
NY • D
Sponsored 8/5/2025
Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]
CA • D
Sponsored 9/8/2025
Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3]
KY • D
Sponsored 10/8/2025
Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]
CA • D
Sponsored 10/24/2025
Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10]
NY • D
Sponsored 11/7/2025
Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35]
TX • D
Sponsored 12/3/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov