Rep. Lawler Introduces Bill to End Forced Arbitration in Age Discrimination Cases
The Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently sent to the House Committee on the Judiciary for review. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
This bill follows the model of a 2022 law that ended forced arbitration for sexual harassment. While it has a Republican sponsor, it will need broad support to move through a divided Congress.
Employers, including small businesses, that currently require workers to sign arbitration agreements would lose the ability to force age discrimination claims into private arbitration. This means small business owners could face public lawsuits and class actions over age bias claims instead of resolving disputes quietly and cheaply through arbitration, raising potential legal costs and exposure.
“no predispute arbitration agreement or predispute joint-action waiver shall be valid or enforceable with respect to a case which is filed under Federal, Tribal, or State law and relates to the age discrimination dispute.”
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said Wednesday that it's time to put an end to forced arbitration, which requires employees to waive their right to sue their employers in court over age discrimination claims.
Senator Lindsey Graham cited his legislation — the Protecting Older Americans Act — and said he and other lawmakers were trying to level the playing field for workers who feel they have been discriminated against because of their age.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025
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