Legis Daily

EMPOWER Act—Part 1

USA116th CongressS-575| Senate 
| Updated: 2/27/2019
Kamala D. Harris

Kamala D. Harris

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (1)
Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace h arassment through Education and Reporting Act-Part I or the EMPOWER Act-Part I This bill prohibits the use of nondisparagement and nondisclosure clauses that cover workplace harassment in employment contracts and directs the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to take certain actions related to workplace harassment. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of nondisparagement and nondisclosure clauses in employment contracts if such clauses cover workplace harassment, including sexual harassment or retaliation for reporting harassment. It also prohibits the enforcement or attempted enforcement of such clauses. Notwithstanding signing any nondisparagement or nondisclosure clause, an employee or applicant retains any right that person would otherwise have had to report a concern about workplace harassment to the EEOC and other specified agencies and any right that person would otherwise have had to bring an action in a court of the United States. Additionally, the bill prohibits state immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution from an action in a federal court for a violation related to workplace harassment. The bill also directs the EEOC to (1) establish a confidential tip line that supplements its existing process for submitting a charge of discrimination; and (2) disseminate workplace training programs and information regarding workplace harassment, including sexual harassment.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Feb 27, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Feb 27, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • February 27, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 27, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Labor and Employment

Related Bills

  • HR 116-1521: EMPOWER Act
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAssault and harassment offensesCivil actions and liabilityCongressional officers and employeesContracts and agencyCorporate finance and managementCrime victimsEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsEqual Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)Government employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment liabilityGovernment studies and investigationsLabor-management relationsLibrary of CongressMarketing and advertisingMerit Systems Protection BoardSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC)Sex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSex offensesState and local government operations

EMPOWER Act—Part 1

USA116th CongressS-575| Senate 
| Updated: 2/27/2019
Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace h arassment through Education and Reporting Act-Part I or the EMPOWER Act-Part I This bill prohibits the use of nondisparagement and nondisclosure clauses that cover workplace harassment in employment contracts and directs the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to take certain actions related to workplace harassment. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of nondisparagement and nondisclosure clauses in employment contracts if such clauses cover workplace harassment, including sexual harassment or retaliation for reporting harassment. It also prohibits the enforcement or attempted enforcement of such clauses. Notwithstanding signing any nondisparagement or nondisclosure clause, an employee or applicant retains any right that person would otherwise have had to report a concern about workplace harassment to the EEOC and other specified agencies and any right that person would otherwise have had to bring an action in a court of the United States. Additionally, the bill prohibits state immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution from an action in a federal court for a violation related to workplace harassment. The bill also directs the EEOC to (1) establish a confidential tip line that supplements its existing process for submitting a charge of discrimination; and (2) disseminate workplace training programs and information regarding workplace harassment, including sexual harassment.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Feb 27, 2019
Introduced in Senate
Feb 27, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • February 27, 2019
    Introduced in Senate


  • February 27, 2019
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Kamala D. Harris

Kamala D. Harris

Democratic Senator

California

Cosponsors (1)
Lisa Murkowski (Republican)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Labor and Employment

Related Bills

  • HR 116-1521: EMPOWER Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAssault and harassment offensesCivil actions and liabilityCongressional officers and employeesContracts and agencyCorporate finance and managementCrime victimsEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsEqual Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)Government employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesGovernment liabilityGovernment studies and investigationsLabor-management relationsLibrary of CongressMarketing and advertisingMerit Systems Protection BoardSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC)Sex, gender, sexual orientation discriminationSex offensesState and local government operations