Protecting Older Americans Act of 2025

Key Points

• This bill would stop companies from forcing workers to use private arbitration for age discrimination claims. Currently, many employment contracts require workers to settle disputes behind closed doors with a private judge rather than in a public courtroom.
• If passed, any worker age 40 or older who faces discrimination, harassment, or retaliation because of their age could choose to file a lawsuit in court. This would apply even if they previously signed a contract giving up their right to sue.
• The change would also allow groups of older workers to join together in 'class action' lawsuits. This is important because many current contracts prevent employees from teaming up to challenge company-wide patterns of unfair treatment.
• A judge, not a private arbitrator, would decide whether this law applies to a specific case. This ensures that the public legal system handles the decision about where the case should be heard.
• This policy would apply to all new claims that happen after the bill is signed into law. It covers discrimination prohibited by federal, state, local, or tribal laws.