Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace Harassment through Education and Reporting Act

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IntroducedPassed one chamberPassed both chambersBecame law (gold)Resolution agreed to (full, dark)Failed or vetoed (gray)

Under the number: the Yea · Nay count of its final (or latest) recorded vote. On a member's page, the small badge is how that member voted: Y Yea / Aye, N Nay / No, P Present, – Not voting.

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 117th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

D FrankelSponsor

98 cosponsors · 96 D, 2 R

D Wasserman Schultz PW

D Cherfilus-McCormick DT

D Titus

65 signed on when it was introduced; the rest joined later. Cosponsors who withdrew aren't shown.

Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace Harassment through Education and Reporting Act or the EMPOWER Act

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in House · Nov 3, 2021

Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace Harassment through Education and Reporting Act or the EMPOWER Act

This bill makes it an unlawful labor practice for an employer to enter into, or attempt to enforce, a contract with an employee or job applicant that contains a nondisparagement or nondisclosure clause that covers workplace or sexual harassment, including retaliation for participating in a workplace harassment proceeding. The bill exempts certain settlement or separation agreements from such prohibition.

The bill also requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to promulgate a regulation that requires any issuer of securities to submit a report for the most recent five-year period with respect to workplace and sexual harassment. The commission must provide for the development and dissemination of training programs and information regarding workplace and sexual harassment.

The bill denies a tax deduction for amounts related to judgments and expenses in connection with litigation related to workplace or sexual harassment. It also excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, any amount received in connection with a claim or settlement related to workplace or sexual harassment, or other unlawful discrimination.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace Harassment through Education and Reporting Act

Also known as: EMPOWER Act

Latest action (Nov 3, 2021): Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, the Judiciary, House Administration, Oversight and Reform, and Financial Services, 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.

Policy area: Labor and Employment · Origin: House · Introduced: Nov 3, 2021

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.