Several labor measures have been signed into law or passed through the House recently, thanks to the Committee's hard work.
ADA Amendments Act: Signed Into Law
On June 25, the House passed the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 by a
vote of 402-17 to stop discrimination against individuals with
disabilities by restoring the original intent of the Americans with
Disabilities Act. This bipartisan legislation will reverse several U.S.
Supreme Court decisions that have undermined the Americans with
Disabilities Act. Since the ADA’s enactment nearly two decades ago,
courts have dramatically reduced the numbers of workers who are
protected from employment discrimination under the law.
Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act: Signed Into Law
The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act was signed into law on
May 21, preventing health insurers and employers from using Americans’
personal genetic information to discriminate against them. The law
prohibits employers from using individuals' genetic information when
making hiring, firing, job placement or promotion decisions. It also
makes it illegal for group health plans and health insurers to deny
coverage to healthy individuals or charge them higher premiums based
solely on a genetic predisposition to a specific disease.
Child Labor Protection Act: Signed Into Law
Employers in the U.S. who violate child labor laws will face stiffer
fines under a measure signed into law on May 21. The Child Labor
Protection Act, first introduced in 2007 by U.S. Reps. Lynn Woolsey
(D-CA) and Joe Wilson (R-SC), increases penalties from $11,000 to
$50,000 for violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act that cause the
death or serious injury of a child.
Airline Flight Crew Technical Corrections Act: Passed by House
On May 20, the House passed the Airline Flight Crew Technical
Corrections Act by a vote of 402-9, clarifying that flight attendants
and pilots are entitled to take unpaid family and medical leave to care
for themselves, newborn children, and sick or injured family members.
The bill would close a loophole which, because of the unique way many
air crews’ hours are calculated, effectively excludes more than 200,000
flight attendants and pilots from coverage under the Family and Medical
Leave Act.
Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosion and Fires Act: Passed by House
On April 30, the House passed the Worker Protection Against Combustible Dust Explosion and Fires Act to help prevent combustible dust explosions like the one at the Imperial Sugar refinery in Port Wentworth, Georgia, on February 7 that killed 13 workers and injured more than 60 others. The measure would require the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to issue rules regulating combustible industrial dusts, like sugar dust, that can build up to hazardous levels and explode. OSHA has known about these dangers for years, but has failed to act.