Legislation

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Washington — Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) have introduced a proposal to establish extra protections for workers considered essential in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, part of what the lawmakers call an “Essential Workers Bill of Rights” to be included in any potential upcoming coronavirus relief measures from Congress.

Washington — Employers with fewer than 500 employees, as well as all government employers, must provide 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave to full-time workers who are in quarantine as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking diagnosis or preventive care for the illness, or caring for affected family members, under legislation signed into law March 18 by President Donald Trump.

Washington — Legislation that would prevent the T-Band spectrum – a public safety radio network intended to ease communication among first responders in 11 metropolitan areas – from being auctioned to other users has garnered support from International Association of Fire Chiefs President and Board Chair Gary Ludwig and International Association of Fire Fighters General President Harold Schaitberger.

Washington — The House on March 14 passed a bill that would require employers with fewer than 500 employees and all government employers to provide 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave to full-time workers who are in quarantine as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking diagnosis or preventive care for the illness, or caring for affected family members.

Washington — Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) have introduced legislation that would allow workers to accrue up to 56 hours of paid sick leave while requiring employers to immediately provide 112 additional hours during public health emergencies, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Washington — House Education and Labor Committee Chair Bobby Scott (D-VA) and 20 other representatives are sponsoring a partisan bill that would require OSHA to issue an emergency temporary standard for health care facilities to implement comprehensive infectious disease exposure control plans.

Washington — The House Education and Labor Committee approved an amended version of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (H.R. 2694) in a markup Jan. 14.

Washington — The Department of Labor has withdrawn its proposal to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to operate powered patient lifts in hospitals, nursing homes or other long-term care facilities, according to DOL’s regulatory agenda for Fall 2019 – released Nov. 20.

Washington — The Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Services Workers Act (H.R. 1309) passed out of the House Nov. 21 by a 251-159 vote.

Washington — The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would close loopholes to provide the reasonable accommodations needed by employees “whose ability to perform the functions of a job are limited by pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition,” supporters of the legislation contended during an Oct. 22 House hearing.