Labor & Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 889: An Act amending the act of December 17, 1959 (P.L.1913, No.694), known as the Equal Pay Law, further providing for definitions, for wage rates and for collection of unpaid wages.

SB 889 amends Pennsylvania's Equal Pay Law to strengthen protections against sex-based pay discrimination. It clarifies that "comparable work" requires similar skill, effort, and responsibility under similar conditions, and defines "wages" to include all compensation like bonuses and benefits. The bill prohibits employers from using past salary history to set new pay (except when a worker provides it to request higher pay) and bans retaliation for discussing wages or reporting violations. It also requires employers to justify any pay differences using legitimate, job-related factors like seniority or skills - not sex - and mandates that such factors must fully explain the wage gap. This directly affects workers and employers across Pennsylvania who set or receive wages.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentStrengthens equal pay protections by clarifying comparable work, banning salary history use, and prohibiting retaliation for wage discussions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 894: An Act amending the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers' Compensation Act, in liability and compensation, providing for registration of status as independent contractor.

SB 894 creates a formal process for businesses to register workers as independent contractors under Pennsylvania's Workers' Compensation Act. To register, a business must obtain a worker's signed waiver and affidavit confirming they are not an employee, agree to forgo workers' compensation benefits, and understand they cannot access the Uninsured Employers Fund if injured. If registered, the business is not liable for benefits or required to provide insurance coverage for that worker, and the worker loses eligibility for those benefits. Registration is valid annually unless the worker revokes it by filing a request with the department, which takes effect 10 days after submission.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill creates process for businesses to classify workers as independent contractors, denying workers workers' comp benefits and Uninsured Employers Fund access, weakening worker protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 24, 2025

SB 893: An Act amending the act of October 13, 2010 (P.L.506, No.72), known as the Construction Workplace Misclassification Act, further providing for independent contractors.

SB 893 amends Pennsylvania's Construction Workplace Misclassification Act to clarify that construction workers registered under the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (2008) are considered independent contractors by default. This change directly affects construction workers and contractors in disputes over misclassification, shifting the burden of proof in such cases. The key provision states that current registration under the Home Improvement Act serves as strong evidence that a worker is an independent contractor, not an employee. This simplifies verification for employers and the Department of Labor but does not alter worker rights or create new registration requirements.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentShifts burden to workers to prove employee status, weakening misclassification protections under Construction Workplace Misclassification Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Gig Economy

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2025

HB 1586: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, providing for tax paid on overtime wages.

HB 1586 creates a refundable tax credit for Pennsylvania taxpayers who earn overtime wages. It allows eligible workers to reduce their state income tax bill by 100% of taxes paid on overtime wages, calculated using employer-provided documentation (as required by 34 Pa. Code § 231.36). The credit applies to tax returns filed for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and will be integrated into the standard PA 40 tax form. This directly affects Pennsylvania workers receiving overtime pay under the Minimum Wage Act of 1968.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit reducing state income tax for overtime workers, offering direct tax relief to eligible taxpayers (middle/lower income), aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides refundable tax credit for overtime wages, directly increasing workers' net compensation by eliminating tax on overtime earnings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 16, 2025

HB 160: An Act amending the act of August 15, 1961 (P.L.987, No.442), known as the Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act, further providing for definitions.

HB 160 amends Pennsylvania's prevailing wage law by raising the cost threshold for public construction projects subject to prevailing wage requirements from $25,000 to $257,000 (adjusted annually for inflation). The new threshold uses the Consumer Price Index for urban wage earners in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland to account for inflation each March. This change exempts smaller public projects (under $257,000) from prevailing wage rules, while larger projects remain covered. The amendment applies to contracts entered into 60 days after the law's effective date.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts smaller public projects from prevailing wage rules, reducing government spending on construction costs. Limits fiscal outlays for public works, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of restricting spending.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts smaller public projects from prevailing wage requirements, reducing wage protections for workers on those projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 588: An Act establishing the Prevailing Wage Co-Enforcement Program; and providing for duties of the Department of Labor and Industry and participants in the Prevailing Wage Co-Enforcement Program.

SB 588 establishes a new Prevailing Wage Co-Enforcement Program within Pennsylvania's Department of Labor and Industry. The program authorizes trained volunteers (called "program participants") to monitor public construction projects for violations of the existing Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act, which requires contractors to pay local prevailing wages. Key mechanisms include volunteers conducting site visits, interviewing workers, and reporting violations to the Department under strict guidelines (e.g., wearing ID badges, submitting reports within 48 hours, and avoiding union-related activities). This directly affects public construction workers, contractors working on public projects, and the Department of Labor, which oversees the program. The bill does not change prevailing wage rates but creates a new enforcement tool for the Department.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnforces prevailing wage law on public projects, requiring contractors to pay local standard wages, directly protecting workers' compensation rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Labor Standards

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 24, 2025

SB 177: An Act amending the act of December 12, 1986 (P.L.1559, No.169), known as the Whistleblower Law, further providing for definitions.

SB 177 amends Pennsylvania's Whistleblower Law by updating the definition of "public body" to explicitly include state courts (like the Supreme Court), the General Assembly, and judicial agencies. This clarifies which government entities are covered under the law, ensuring employees reporting violations can seek protection when working with these specific bodies. The change directly affects state and local government employees who report suspected legal violations, making the scope of protected entities more precise. It is a procedural update to definitions, not a new protection or penalty.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands whistleblower protections for state employees by including courts/AG under law, strengthening worker reporting rights and legal safeguards.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 9, 2025

SB 545: An Act amending the act of January 17, 1968 (P.L.11, No.5), known as The Minimum Wage Act of 1968, further providing for exemptions and for duty of employer.

SB 545 amends Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act to exempt minor league baseball players covered by collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) from minimum wage and overtime rules. It adds a specific exemption (Section 5(a)(13)) for players under CBAs detailing their wages and working conditions. The bill also modifies employer recordkeeping requirements (Section 8), exempting these players from needing employers to maintain certain records or allow inspections regarding their pay. This change directly affects minor league baseball teams and players in Pennsylvania under applicable CBAs. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExempts minor league baseball players from minimum wage/overtime rules, weakening standard worker protections under the Minimum Wage Act.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 19: An Act amending the act of January 17, 1968 (P.L.11, No.5), known as The Minimum Wage Act of 1968, further providing for definitions, for minimum wages and for exemptions; providing for gratuities; further providing for enforcement and rules and regulations, for penalties and for civil actions; repealing provisions relating to preemption; and providing for local option and for taxpayer savings and reinvestment.

SB 19 proposes amendments to The Minimum Wage Act of 1968, directly affecting employees and employers across the state. The bill seeks to increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with subsequent annual adjustments tied to the cost of living. It also revises rules for tipped employees, requiring their cash wage to be at least 70% of the minimum wage and clarifying that all gratuities are the property of the employee. Employers would be prohibited from deducting credit card processing fees from employee tips and must pay them by the next regular payday.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum wage to $15/hr with COLA adjustments, requires 70% cash wage for tipped workers, and mandates all gratuities go to employees - directly strengthens worker compensation and rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2025

HB 1029: An Act amending the act of June 1, 1937 (P.L.1168, No.294), known as the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act, further providing for definitions; providing for notice and regulations; further providing for unfair labor practices and for representatives and elections; providing for initial collective bargaining agreement; further providing for prevention of unfair labor practices and for penalties; and imposing penalties.

HB 1029 amends Pennsylvania's 1937 Labor Relations Act to clarify worker protections and union election processes. It defines "employe" more broadly (excluding independent contractors) and bans agreements that prevent workers from joining class or collective lawsuits. Employers must post notices about labor rights and provide detailed voter lists for union elections within two business days of a board order. The bill also adds new unfair labor practices, including coercing workers to sign agreements that limit their right to pursue collective claims. These changes directly affect Pennsylvania workers, employers, and labor organizations involved in union representation efforts.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAmends labor relations act to broaden worker protections, ban anti-lawsuit agreements, mandate labor rights notices, and add penalties for coercion/coercive practices, directly strengthening worker rights and collective bargaining.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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