BE HEARD in the Workplace Act
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary introduced in house (Nov 17, 2021)
Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination in the Workplace Act or the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act
This bill expands protections against discrimination and harassment in the workplace and raises the minimum wage for tipped employees.
Specifically, the bill (1) makes it an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against an individual in the workplace based on sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, or a sex stereotype; and (2) provides a statutory definition for what constitutes workplace harassment. Further, these protections apply to all workplaces, regardless of size, and to all workers, including independent contractors, interns, volunteers, and trainees.
The bill prohibits employers from entering into contracts or agreements with workers that contain certain nondisparagement or nondisclosure clauses and prohibits certain predispute arbitration agreements and postdispute agreements. It also establishes grant programs to (1) prevent and respond to workplace discrimination and harassment, (2) provide legal assistance for low-income workers, and (3) establish a system of legal advocacy in states to protect the rights of workers.
The bill further provides employees the right to retain their tips and it increases, in specified annual increments, the minimum wage for tipped employees to match the federal minimum wage for nontipped employees.
Additionally, the bill requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to provide specified training and resource materials, establish and convene a harassment prevention task force, and establish an Office of Education and Outreach with regard to prohibited discrimination and harassment in employment.
The bill also requires specified studies, reports, and research on prohibited workplace harassment.
What just happenedNov 1, 2022
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Who’s behind it
- Introduced in HouseNov 17, 2021
- Nov 1, 2022Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee - Nov 1, 2022Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.
Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust Subcommittee - Nov 29, 2021Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee - Nov 17, 2021IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Veterans' Affairs Committee - Nov 17, 2021IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Oversight and Accountability Committee - Nov 17, 2021IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Committee on House Administration - Nov 17, 2021IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Judiciary Committee - Nov 17, 2021IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Education and the Workforce Committee - Nov 17, 2021IntroReferralIntro-H
Introduced in House
- Nov 17, 2021IntroReferral1000
Introduced in House