PRIA Logo™
HR9995119th CongressWALLET

Restoring Justice for Workers Act

Sponsored By: Representative Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

Introduced

Summary

Bans mandatory arbitration in workplace disputes. The Restoring Justice for Workers Act would bar pre-dispute and post-dispute arbitration and joint-action waivers for work disputes, protect workers who refuse arbitration, and set rules for true voluntary consent.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More workers covered, including household contractors

This bill would define “worker” to include employees and people labeled independent contractors. It would define “covered entity” to include employers and individuals or entities that hire workers. The bill would also say the rules apply to domestic household service to the fullest extent allowed by the Constitution, which could extend protections to household workers and their employers.

New anti-retaliation rules and court review

This bill would prohibit retaliation or threats for refusing to sign an arbitration agreement. Anyone injured by such retaliation could sue in federal court within 2 years, or within 3 years if the violation was willful. Courts, not arbitrators, would decide whether this law applies to an arbitration agreement and whether the agreement is valid. Courts could award attorney fees and other relief under federal civil rights statutes.

No forced pre-dispute arbitration

This bill would make any pre-dispute arbitration clause that forces you to arbitrate a work dispute invalid and unenforceable. It would also bar employers from making you promise, before a dispute, not to join class or collective work claims. Employers could not coerce or punish you for refusing such a promise. The rule would not override agreements in union contracts.

Stricter rules for post-dispute arbitration

This bill would make a post-dispute arbitration clause invalid unless four safeguards are met: it was not required or coerced by the employer; you received a plain written notice of the right to refuse and NLRA protections; you waited at least 45 days after getting the final text and disclosures; and you gave written, affirmative consent. The law would toll filing deadlines during that 45-day waiting period so you would not lose a claim. For NLRA charges tied to qualifying post-dispute agreements, the six-month charge clock would start when the 45-day waiting period ends.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12]

NY • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Scott, Robert C. "Bobby" [D-VA-3]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 7/30/2026

  • Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 7/30/2026

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

    DC • D

    Sponsored 7/30/2026

  • Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 7/30/2026

  • Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 7/30/2026

  • Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 7/30/2026

  • Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 8/17/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation