Worker Rights and Support Act

New paid breaks for workers

If enacted, this bill would require employers to give a 30‑minute meal break for each 6 hours worked. You could only waive the meal break by your own voluntary consent. If you are not fully relieved of work or cannot leave the premises during that meal break, your employer would have to pay the full 30 minutes at no less than 1.5 times your regular rate. Employers would also give a paid break during each 4‑hour period equal to the longer of 10 minutes or enough time to use the nearest functioning accessible restroom, paid at your regular rate. If a health care provider says you need short medical breaks, you would get up to 20 minutes per break at your regular rate. Paid break time would count as hours worked. The bill would preserve collective bargaining terms and would not override state laws that give workers more protections. The bill would also make violating these break rules a prohibited act under federal wage law, let workers seek legal and equitable relief, and include these claims in the statute of limitations for suit.