S. 575 · 116th Congress
EMPOWER Act—Part 1
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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 116th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.
D
HarrisSponsor1 cosponsor · 1 R
1 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.
Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace h arassment through Education and Reporting Act-Part I or the EMPOWER Act-Part I
What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in Senate · Feb 27, 2019
Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace harassment through Education and Reporting Act-Part I or the EMPOWER Act-Part I
This bill prohibits the use of nondisparagement and nondisclosure clauses that cover workplace harassment in employment contracts and directs the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to take certain actions related to workplace harassment.
Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of nondisparagement and nondisclosure clauses in employment contracts if such clauses cover workplace harassment, including sexual harassment or retaliation for reporting harassment. It also prohibits the enforcement or attempted enforcement of such clauses.
Notwithstanding signing any nondisparagement or nondisclosure clause, an employee or applicant retains any right that person would otherwise have had to report a concern about workplace harassment to the EEOC and other specified agencies and any right that person would otherwise have had to bring an action in a court of the United States.
Additionally, the bill prohibits state immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution from an action in a federal court for a violation related to workplace harassment.
The bill also directs the EEOC to (1) establish a confidential tip line that supplements its existing process for submitting a charge of discrimination; and (2) disseminate workplace training programs and information regarding workplace harassment, including sexual harassment.
Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov
About this bill and sources
Official title: EMPOWER Act—Part 1
Also known as: Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace harassment through Education and Reporting Act—Part 1
Latest action (Feb 27, 2019): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Policy area: Labor and Employment · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Feb 27, 2019
Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)
No recorded floor vote found.