Sen. Booker Introduces Bill to Require Federal Minimum Wage for Incarcerated Workers
A bill to require coverage of incarcerated workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, and for other purposes.
This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being introduced in the Senate. It has been sent to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions for review, where it is waiting for further action. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
Scores run from -100 (strongly harmful) to +100 (strongly beneficial) for each group, combining impact, certainty, scope, and duration ratings of 1-5. How impact scoring works
Some small businesses rely on contracts with prisons for cheap labor, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, and call center work. If incarcerated workers must be paid minimum wage, the cost advantage of prison labor disappears, potentially disrupting the business model for companies that depend on it.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Kim Kardashian has endorsed the Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act, highlighting the 'bravery and commitment' of incarcerated firefighters who were paid as little as $1 an hour during the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. The bill would mandate federal minimum wage for all prison labor.
Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced legislation to ensure incarcerated workers are paid at least the federal minimum wage and receive basic labor protections. The bill aims to end exploitative practices and help individuals save for reentry to reduce recidivism.
Senator Cory Booker thanked Kim Kardashian for her vocal support of the Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act. Kardashian used her platform to highlight the disparity in pay for incarcerated firefighters, calling for an end to the 'pennies for work' practice in U.S. prisons.
No votes recorded for this bill yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
A bill to require coverage of incarcerated workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, and for other purposes.
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