This bill would expand safety and health protections for government workers, including federal, state, and local employees. It would strengthen whistleblower protections, require employers to provide hazard-free workplaces, increase reporting of workplace injuries and deaths, and raise penalties for certain safety violations.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill would expand safety and health protections for government workers, including federal, state, and local employees. It would strengthen whistleblower protections, require employers to provide hazard-free workplaces, increase reporting of workplace injuries and deaths, and raise penalties for certain safety violations.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><b>Protecting America's Workers Act</b></p> <p>This bill expands the coverage of requirements governing workplace safety and health to include protection for federal, state, and local government employees. However, the bill does not cover working conditions otherwise covered by federal requirements for mine safety and health.</p> <p>The bill revises requirements governing worker protection, including by</p> <ul> <li>expanding protections for whistle-blowers, such as protections for employees who refuse to perform work because they reasonably believe the work would result in serious injury or illness and for employees who aid inspections;</li> <li>directing employers to furnish a hazard-free place of employment to all individuals performing work, not just employees;</li> <li>directing employers to report work-related deaths or certain injuries, illnesses, or hospitalizations; </li> <li>requiring the Department of Labor to investigate fatalities or significant incidents in the workplace; </li> <li>establishing rights for victims, or representatives of victims, with respect to inspections or investigations of work-related bodily injuries or deaths; </li> <li>setting the permitted period for employers to correct serious, willful, or repeated violations while citations for the violations are being contested;</li> <li>increasing civil and criminal penalties for certain violations;</li> <li>expanding enforcement requirements relating to state occupational safety and health plans;</li> <li>expanding requirements for workplace health hazard evaluations by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health; and</li> <li>requiring Labor to provide training programs concerning employee rights and employer responsibilities.</li> </ul>
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Expands workplace safety and health protections to cover government workers, not just private sector employees
Strengthens whistleblower protections for workers who refuse dangerous work or assist inspections
Requires employers to report workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths, and mandates investigations of serious incidents
Increases civil and criminal penalties for certain workplace safety violations
Expands training programs to educate workers on their rights and employer responsibilities
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If this bill becomes law, it would improve workplace safety and protections for millions of government workers across the country, including federal, state, and local employees. It would hold employers more accountable for providing hazard-free work environments and ensure workers are better informed of their rights. The increased reporting and enforcement requirements could lead to safer working conditions and fewer workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Labor and Employment
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
2998, 119th Congress (2025). "Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-2998
