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Congress Proposes Raising Fines to $800,000 for Major Workplace Safety and Child Labor Violations

LET’S Protect Workers Act

3 months ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Key Points

  • This bill would sharply increase the fines companies pay for breaking labor laws. For example, child labor violations that lead to death or serious injury could result in fines up to $700,000, a massive increase meant to discourage dangerous illegal hiring practices.
  • Workplace safety fines would also see a major boost. Maximum penalties for the most serious or repeated safety violations would rise from $70,000 to $800,000 to ensure companies take employee health and safety seriously and fix hazards quickly.
  • The plan introduces new fines for "unfair labor practices," such as interfering with workers' rights to join a union. Employers could be fined up to $50,000 per violation, and company leaders could be held personally responsible for these actions in certain cases.
  • It targets specific industries like farming and mining with stricter rules. For instance, mine operators who fall behind on paying their safety fines could be forced to shut down their mines and stop all work until they pay what they owe the government.
  • The bill also adds new penalties for employers who violate family leave laws or fail to provide equal insurance coverage for mental health treatments. Most of these higher fines would go into effect on January 1, 2027.
Labor EmploymentHealthcareCriminal Justice

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Dec 10, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, 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.

Dec 10, 2025

Introduced in House

Related News

1 article
J. J. Keller·15 days ago

9 OSHA bills to mandate gap-closing rules, wider coverage, steeper fines

The LET'S Protect Workers Act (H.R. 6597), introduced 12/10/2025, would raise civil monetary penalties for OSHA violations. Willful and repeat violations would jump to $800,000 each. It also directs OSHA to close a loophole regarding injury and illness recordkeeping.

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

LET’S Protect Workers Act

Bill NumberHR 6597
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, 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.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(78)
D: 78

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.