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Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-3285| Senate 
| Updated: 11/30/2021
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (5)
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Protecting America's Meatpacking Workers Act of 2021 This bill addresses workplace conditions and safety with a particular focus on meat and poultry processing establishments and makes other changes to agricultural programs and activities. Generally, the bill provides funding through FY2027 for hiring additional Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors and related activities. It also restricts an employer's use of certain attendance policies under which a worker is assessed points for absences with progressive discipline imposed as points accumulate. Additionally, the bill expands protections for workers who exercise their rights under occupational safety and health laws and regulations. This includes specific protections and procedures for workers of meat and poultry processing establishments. The bill expands workplace safety and health requirements that apply to meat and poultry processing establishments, including by prohibiting waivers (subject to limited exceptions) related to line speeds and inspections. Additionally, OSHA must issue standards for these establishments that address, for example, ergonomic program management and preventing occupational exposure to COVID-19. OSHA must also (1) establish, within seven days, a process for establishments to report COVID-19 information; and (2) publish certain regulations regarding a workers' representative accompanying an OSHA inspector during inspections of an establishment. The bill provides funding through FY2031 for, and imposes additional conditions on recipients of, grants to improve meat and poultry processing facilities. Further, the bill increases funding for a program that supports regional and local food systems. It also requires country-of-origin labeling of beef, pork, and dairy products.
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Timeline
Nov 30, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Nov 30, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Jan 4, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-6250
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.
  • November 30, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 30, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • January 4, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-6250
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.

Labor and Employment

Related Bills

  • S 117-713: Safe Line Speeds During COVID–19 Act of 2021
  • HR 117-6250: Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act of 2021
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAgricultural conservation and pollutionAgricultural marketing and promotionAgricultural prices, subsidies, creditAgricultural tradeAir qualityAnimal protection and human-animal relationshipsAssault and harassment offensesBorder security and unlawful immigrationCardiovascular and respiratory healthCivil actions and liabilityClimate change and greenhouse gasesCompetition and antitrustCongressional agenciesCongressional oversightConsumer affairsCorporate finance and managementCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of LaborEmergency medical services and trauma careEmergency planning and evacuationEmployee leaveEmployee performanceEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsFood industry and servicesFood supply, safety, and labelingForeign laborForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment Accountability Office (GAO)Government employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesHealth technology, devices, suppliesInfectious and parasitic diseasesIntergovernmental relationsJudicial review and appealsLabor-management relationsLabor marketLabor standardsLegal fees and court costsLibrary of CongressLivestockMeatMental healthMinority employmentMusculoskeletal and skin diseasesPublic contracts and procurementPublic participation and lobbyingRacial and ethnic relationsRefugees, asylum, displaced personsSex offensesSmall businessState and local government operationsTemporary and part-time employmentWages and earningsWater qualityWildlife conservation and habitat protectionWorker safety and health

Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act of 2021

USA117th CongressS-3285| Senate 
| Updated: 11/30/2021
Protecting America's Meatpacking Workers Act of 2021 This bill addresses workplace conditions and safety with a particular focus on meat and poultry processing establishments and makes other changes to agricultural programs and activities. Generally, the bill provides funding through FY2027 for hiring additional Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspectors and related activities. It also restricts an employer's use of certain attendance policies under which a worker is assessed points for absences with progressive discipline imposed as points accumulate. Additionally, the bill expands protections for workers who exercise their rights under occupational safety and health laws and regulations. This includes specific protections and procedures for workers of meat and poultry processing establishments. The bill expands workplace safety and health requirements that apply to meat and poultry processing establishments, including by prohibiting waivers (subject to limited exceptions) related to line speeds and inspections. Additionally, OSHA must issue standards for these establishments that address, for example, ergonomic program management and preventing occupational exposure to COVID-19. OSHA must also (1) establish, within seven days, a process for establishments to report COVID-19 information; and (2) publish certain regulations regarding a workers' representative accompanying an OSHA inspector during inspections of an establishment. The bill provides funding through FY2031 for, and imposes additional conditions on recipients of, grants to improve meat and poultry processing facilities. Further, the bill increases funding for a program that supports regional and local food systems. It also requires country-of-origin labeling of beef, pork, and dairy products.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Nov 30, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Nov 30, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Jan 4, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-6250
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.
  • November 30, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • November 30, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.


  • January 4, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-6250
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture.
Cory A. Booker

Cory A. Booker

Democratic Senator

New Jersey

Cosponsors (5)
Kirsten E. Gillibrand (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)Richard Blumenthal (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Labor and Employment

Related Bills

  • S 117-713: Safe Line Speeds During COVID–19 Act of 2021
  • HR 117-6250: Protecting America’s Meatpacking Workers Act of 2021
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAgricultural conservation and pollutionAgricultural marketing and promotionAgricultural prices, subsidies, creditAgricultural tradeAir qualityAnimal protection and human-animal relationshipsAssault and harassment offensesBorder security and unlawful immigrationCardiovascular and respiratory healthCivil actions and liabilityClimate change and greenhouse gasesCompetition and antitrustCongressional agenciesCongressional oversightConsumer affairsCorporate finance and managementCorrectional facilities and imprisonmentDepartment of AgricultureDepartment of LaborEmergency medical services and trauma careEmergency planning and evacuationEmployee leaveEmployee performanceEmployment and training programsEmployment discrimination and employee rightsFood industry and servicesFood supply, safety, and labelingForeign laborForeign language and bilingual programsGovernment Accountability Office (GAO)Government employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsHazardous wastes and toxic substancesHealth technology, devices, suppliesInfectious and parasitic diseasesIntergovernmental relationsJudicial review and appealsLabor-management relationsLabor marketLabor standardsLegal fees and court costsLibrary of CongressLivestockMeatMental healthMinority employmentMusculoskeletal and skin diseasesPublic contracts and procurementPublic participation and lobbyingRacial and ethnic relationsRefugees, asylum, displaced personsSex offensesSmall businessState and local government operationsTemporary and part-time employmentWages and earningsWater qualityWildlife conservation and habitat protectionWorker safety and health