Protecting America's Workers Act
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.
The bill revises requirements governing worker protection, including by
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2998 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2998
To amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to expand
coverage under the Act, to increase protections for whistleblowers, to
increase penalties for high gravity violations, to adjust penalties for
inflation, to provide rights for victims or their family members, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 28, 2023
Mr. Courtney (for himself, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Ms. Wasserman
Schultz, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Grijalva, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Bonamici, Ms.
Adams, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Morelle, Ms. Omar, Mr. Larson of
Connecticut, Mrs. Hayes, and Ms. Pingree) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the
Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to expand
coverage under the Act, to increase protections for whistleblowers, to
increase penalties for high gravity violations, to adjust penalties for
inflation, to provide rights for victims or their family members, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting
America's Workers Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--COVERAGE OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, AUTHORIZED EMPLOYEE
REPRESENTATIVES, VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, AND APPLICATION OF ACT
Sec. 101. Coverage of public employees.
Sec. 102. Authorized employee representatives.
Sec. 103. Application of Act.
TITLE II--INCREASING WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS
Sec. 201. Enhanced protections from retaliation.
TITLE III--IMPROVING REPORTING, INSPECTION, AND ENFORCEMENT
Part A--Duties and Standards
Sec. 301. General duty of employers.
Sec. 302. Occupational safety and health standards.
Part B--Inspections, Investigations, and Recordkeeping
Sec. 311. Posting of employee rights.
Sec. 312. Employer reporting of work-related injuries, illness, deaths,
and hospitalizations; prohibition on
discouraging employee reporting.
Sec. 313. No loss of employee pay for inspections.
Sec. 314. Investigations of fatalities and significant incidents.
Sec. 315. Recordkeeping.
Part C--Citations
Sec. 321. Period for issuance of a citation.
Sec. 322. Prohibition on unclassified citations.
Part D--Rights of Victims and Families
Sec. 331. Rights of Victims and Families.
Part E--Procedure for Enforcement
Sec. 341. Right to contest citations and penalties.
Sec. 342. Correction of serious, willful, or repeated violations
pending contest and procedures for a stay.
Sec. 343. Inaction by the Review Commission.
Sec. 344. Conforming amendments.
Part F--Penalties
Sec. 351. Civil penalties.
Sec. 352. Criminal penalties.
Sec. 353. Prejudgment interest.
TITLE IV--STATE PLANS
Sec. 401. Concurrent enforcement authority and review of State
occupational safety and health plans.
Sec. 402. Evaluation of repeated violations in State plans.
TITLE V--NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
Sec. 501. Health hazard evaluations by the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health.
Sec. 502. Training and employee education.
TITLE VI--EFFECTIVE DATE
Sec. 601. Effective date.
TITLE I--COVERAGE OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, AUTHORIZED EMPLOYEE
REPRESENTATIVES, VOLUNTARY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS, AND APPLICATION OF ACT
SEC. 101. COVERAGE OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.
(a) In General.--Section 3(5) of the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 652(5)) is amended by striking ``but does not
include'' and all that follows through the period at the end and
inserting ``including the United States, a State, or a political
subdivision of a State.''.
(b) Construction.--Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect
the application of section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act
of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 667).
SEC. 102. AUTHORIZED EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVES.
Section 3 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 652) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(15) Authorized employee representative.--The term
`authorized employee representative'--
``(A) means any person or organization that for the
purposes of this Act represents not less than one
employee at an establishment, factory, plant,
construction site, or other workplace, or other
environment where work is performed by an employee for
an employer; and
``(B) includes a representative authorized by
employees, a representative of employees, or any other
representative of an employee under this Act.''.
SEC. 103. APPLICATION OF ACT.
Section 4(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 653(b)(1)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as
paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), respectively; and
(2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) If a Federal agency has promulgated and is enforcing a
standard or regulation affecting occupational safety or health of some
or all of the employees within that agency's regulatory jurisdiction,
and the Secretary determines that such a standard or regulation as
promulgated and the manner in which the standard or regulation is being
enforced provides protection to those employees that is at least as
effective as the protection provided to those employees by this Act and
the Secretary's enforcement of this Act, the Secretary may publish a
certification notice in the Federal Register. The notice shall set
forth that determination and the reasons for the determination and
certify that the Secretary has ceded jurisdiction to that Federal
agency with respect to the specified standard or regulation affecting
occupational safety or health. In determining whether to cede
jurisdiction to a Federal agency, the Secretary shall seek to avoid
duplication of, and conflicts between, health and safety requirements.
Such certification shall remain in effect unless and until rescinded by
the Secretary.
``(2) The Secretary shall, by regulation, establish procedures by
which any person who may be adversely affected by a decision of the
Secretary certifying that the Secretary has ceded jurisdiction to
another Federal agency pursuant to paragraph (1) may petition the
Secretary to rescind a certification notice under such paragraph. Upon
receipt of such a petition, the Secretary shall investigate the matter
involved and shall, not later than 90 days after the receipt of the
petition, publish a decision with respect to the petition in the
Federal Register.
``(3) Any person who may be adversely affected by--
``(A) a decision of the Secretary certifying that the
Secretary has ceded jurisdiction to another Federal agency
pursuant to paragraph (1); or
``(B) a decision of the Secretary denying a petition to
rescind such a certification notice under paragraph (1),
may, not later than 60 days after such decision is published in the
Federal Register, file a petition challenging such decision with the
United States Court of Appeals for the circuit in which such person
resides or such person has a principal place of business, for judicial
review of such decision. A copy of the petition shall be forthwith
transmitted by the clerk of the court to the Secretary. The Secretary's
decision shall be set aside if found to be arbitrary, capricious, an
abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law.
``(4) Nothing in this Act shall apply to working conditions covered
by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 801 et
seq.).''.
TITLE II--INCREASING WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS
SEC. 201. ENHANCED PROTECTIONS FROM RETALIATION.
(a) Employee Actions.--Section 11(c)(1) of the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 660(c)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``discharge'' and all that follows through
``because such'' and inserting the following: ``discharge or
cause to be discharged, or in any manner discriminate against
or cause to be discriminated against, any employee because--
``(A) such'';
(2) by striking ``this Act or has'' and inserting the
following: ``this Act;
``(B) such employee has'';
(3) by striking ``in any such proceeding or because of the
exercise'' and inserting the following: ``before Congress or in
any Federal or State proceeding related to safety or health;
``(C) such employee has refused to violate any provision of
this Act; or
``(D) of the exercise''; and
(4) by inserting before the period at the end the
following: ``, including the reporting of any injury, illness,
or unsafe condition to the employer, agent of the employer,
safety and health committee involved, or employee safety and
health representative involved''.
(b) Prohibition of Retaliation.--Section 11(c) of such Act (29
U.S.C. 660(c)) is amended by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) Prohibition of Retaliation.--(A) No person shall discharge,
or cause to be discharged, or in any manner discriminate against, or
cause to be discriminated against, an employee for refusing to perform
the employee's duties if the employee has a reasonable apprehension
that performing such duties would result in serious injury to, or
serious impairment of the health of, the employee or other employees.
``(B) For purposes of subparagraph (A), the circumstances causing
the employee's good-faith belief that performing such duties would pose
a safety or health hazard shall be of such a nature that a reasonable
person, under the circumstances confronting the employee, would
conclude that there is such a hazard. In order to qualify for
protection under this paragraph, the employee, when practicable, shall
have communicated or attempted to communicate the safety or health
concern to the employer and have not received from the employer a
response reasonably calculated to allay such concern.''.
(c) Procedure.--Section 11(c) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 660(c)) is
amended by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) Complaint.--Any employee who believes that the employee has
been discharged, disciplined, or otherwise discriminated against by any
person in violation of paragraph (1) or (2) may seek relief for such
violation by filing a complaint with the Secretary under paragraph (5).
``(4) Statute of Limitations.--
``(A) In general.--An employee may take the action
permitted by paragraph (3) not later than 180 days after the
later of--
``(i) the date on which an alleged violation of
paragraph (1) or (2) occurs; or
``(ii) the date on which the employee knows or
should reasonably have known that such alleged
violation occurred.
``(B) Repeat violation.--Except in cases when the employee
has been discharged, a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) shall
be considered to have occurred on the last date an alleged
repeat violation occurred.
``(5) Investigation.--
``(A) In general.--An employee may, within the time period
required under paragraph (4)(A), file a complaint with the
Secretary alleging a violation of paragraph (1) or (2). If the
complaint alleges a prima facie case, the Secretary shall
conduct an investigation of the allegations in the complaint,
which--
``(i) shall include--
``(I) interviewing the complainant;
``(II) providing the respondent an
opportunity to--
``(aa) submit to the Secretary a
written response to the complaint; and
``(bb) meet with the Secretary to
present statements from witnesses or
provide evidence; and
``(III) providing the complainant an
opportunity to--
``(aa) receive any statements or
evidence provided to the Secretary;
``(bb) meet with the Secretary; and
``(cc) rebut any statements or
evidence; and
``(ii) may include issuing subpoenas for the
purposes of such investigation.
``(B) Decision.--Not later than 90 days after the filing of
the complaint, the Secretary shall--
``(i) determine whether reasonable cause exists to
believe that a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) has
occurred; and
``(ii) issue a decision granting or denying relief.
``(6) Preliminary Order Following Investigation.--If, after
completion of an investigation under paragraph (5)(A), the Secretary
finds reasonable cause to believe that a violation of paragraph (1) or
(2) has occurred, the Secretary shall issue a preliminary order
providing relief authorized under paragraph (14) at the same time the
Secretary issues a decision under paragraph (5)(B). If a de novo
hearing is not requested within the time period required under
paragraph (7)(A)(i), such preliminary order shall be deemed a final
order of the Secretary and is not subject to judicial review.
``(7) Hearing.--
``(A) Request for hearing.--
``(i) In general.--A de novo hearing on the record
before an administrative law judge may be requested--
``(I) by the complainant or respondent
within 30 days after receiving notification of
a decision granting or denying relief issued
under paragraph (5)(B) or a preliminary order
under paragraph (6), respectively;
``(II) by the complainant within 30 days
after the date the complaint is dismissed
without investigation by the Secretary under
paragraph (5)(A); or
``(III) by the complainant within 120 days
after the date of filing the complaint, if the
Secretary has not issued a decision under
paragraph (5)(B).
``(ii) Reinstatement order.--The request for a
hearing shall not operate to stay any preliminary
reinstatement order issued under paragraph (6).
``(B) Procedures.--
``(i) In general.--A hearing requested under this
paragraph shall be conducted expeditiously and in
accordance with rules established by the Secretary for
hearings conducted by administrative law judges.
``(ii) Subpoenas; production of evidence.--In
conducting any such hearing, the administrative law
judge may issue subpoenas. The respondent or
complainant may request the issuance of subpoenas that
require the deposition of, or the attendance and
testimony of, witnesses and the production of any
evidence (including any books, papers, documents, or
recordings) relating to the matter under consideration.
``(iii) Decision.--The administrative law judge
shall issue a decision not later than 90 days after the
date on which a hearing was requested under this
paragraph and promptly notify, in writing, the parties
and the Secretary of such decision, including the
findings of fact and conclusions of law. If the
administrative law judge finds that a violation of
paragraph (1) or (2) has occurred, the judge shall
issue an order for relief under paragraph (14). If
review under paragraph (8) is not timely requested,
such order shall be deemed a final order of the
Secretary that is not subject to judicial review.
``(8) Administrative Appeal.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date of
notification of a decision and order issued by an
administrative law judge under paragraph (7), the complainant
or respondent may file, with objections, an administrative
appeal with an administrative review body designated by the
Secretary (referred to in this paragraph as the `review
board').
``(B) Standard of review.--In reviewing the decision and
order of the administrative law judge, the review board shall
affirm the decision and order if it is determined that the
factual findings set forth therein are supported by substantial
evidence and the decision and order are made in accordance with
applicable law.
``(C) Decisions.--If the review board grants an
administrative appeal, the review board shall issue a final
decision and order affirming or reversing, in whole or in part,
the decision under review by not later than 90 days after
receipt of the administrative appeal. If it is determined that
a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) has occurred, the review
board shall issue a final decision and order providing relief
authorized under paragraph (14). Such decision and order shall
constitute final agency action with respect to the matter
appealed.
``(9) Settlement in the Administrative Process.--
``(A) In general.--At any time before issuance of a final
order, an investigation or proceeding under this subsection may
be terminated on the basis of a settlement agreement entered
into by the parties.
``(B) Public policy considerations.--Neither the Secretary,
an administrative law judge, nor the review board conducting a
hearing under this subsection shall accept a settlement that
contains conditions conflicting with the rights protected under
this Act or that are contrary to public policy, including a
restriction on a complainant's right to future employment with
employers other than the specific employers named in a
complaint.
``(10) Inaction by the Review Board or Administrative Law Judge.--
``(A) In general.--The complainant may bring a de novo
action described in subparagraph (B) if--
``(i) an administrative law judge has not issued a
decision and order within the 90-day time period
required under paragraph (7)(B)(iii); or
``(ii) the review board has not issued a decision
and order within the 90-day time period required under
paragraph (8)(C).
``(B) De novo action.--Such de novo action may be brought
at law or equity in the United States district court for the
district where a violation of paragraph (1) or (2) allegedly
occurred or where the complainant resided on the date of such
alleged violation. The court shall have jurisdiction over such
action without regard to the amount in controversy and to order
appropriate relief under paragraph (14). Such action shall, at
the request of either party to such action, be tried by the
court with a jury.
``(11) Judicial Review.--
``(A) Timely appeal to the court of appeals.--Any party
adversely affected or aggrieved by a final decision and order
issued under this subsection may obtain review of such decision
and order in the United States Court of Appeals for the circuit
where the violation, with respect to which such final decision
and order was issued, allegedly occurred or where the
complainant resided on the date of such alleged violation. To
obtain such review, a party shall file a petition for review
not later than 60 days after the final decision and order was
issued. Such review shall conform to chapter 7 of title 5,
United States Code. The commencement of proceedings under this
subparagraph shall not, unless ordered by the court, operate as
a stay of the final decision and order.
``(B) Limitation on collateral attack.--An order and
decision with respect to which review may be obtained under
subparagraph (A) shall not be subject to judicial review in any
criminal or other civil proceeding.
``(12) Enforcement of Order.--If a respondent fails to comply with
an order issued under this subsection, the Secretary or the complainant
on whose behalf the order was issued may file a civil action for
enforcement in the United States district court for the district in
which the violation was found to occur to enforce such order. If both
the Secretary and the complainant file such action, the action of the
Secretary shall take precedence. The district court shall have
jurisdiction to grant all appropriate relief described in paragraph
(14).
``(13) Burdens of Proof.--
``(A) Criteria for determination.--In making a
determination or adjudicating a complaint pursuant to this
subsection, the Secretary, administrative law judge, review
board, or a court may determine that a violation of paragraph
(1) or (2) has occurred only if the complainant demonstrates
that any conduct described in paragraph (1) or (2) with respect
to the complainant was a contributing factor in the adverse
action alleged in the complaint.
``(B) Prohibition.--Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), a
decision or order that is favorable to the complainant shall
not be issued in any administrative or judicial action pursuant
to this subsection if the respondent demonstrates by clear and
convincing evidence that the respondent would have taken the
same adverse action in the absence of such conduct.
``(14) Relief.--
``(A) Order for relief.--If the Secretary, administrative
law judge, review board, or a court determines that a violation
of paragraph (1) or (2) has occurred, the Secretary,
administrative law judge, review board, or court, respectively,
shall have jurisdiction to order all appropriate relief,
including injunctive relief, compensatory and exemplary
damages, including--
``(i) affirmative action to abate the violation;
``(ii) reinstatement without loss of position or
seniority, and restoration of the terms, rights,
conditions, and privileges associated with the
complainant's employment, including opportunities for
promotions to positions with equivalent or better
compensation for which the complainant is qualified;
``(iii) compensatory and consequential damages
sufficient to make the complainant whole (including
back pay, prejudgment interest, and other damages); and
``(iv) expungement of all warnings, reprimands, or
derogatory references that have been placed in paper or
electronic records or databases of any type relating to
the actions by the complainant that gave rise to the
unfavorable personnel action, and, at the complainant's
direction, transmission of a copy of the decision on
the complaint to any person whom the complainant
reasonably believes may have received such unfavorable
information.
``(B) Attorneys' fees and costs.--If the Secretary or an
administrative law judge, review board, or court grants an
order for relief under subparagraph (A), the Secretary,
administrative law judge, review board, or court, respectively,
shall assess, at the request of the employee against the
employer--
``(i) reasonable attorneys' fees; and
``(ii) costs (including expert witness fees)
reasonably incurred, as determined by the Secretary,
administrative law judge, review board, or court,
respectively, in connection with bringing the complaint
upon which the order was issued.
``(15) Procedural Rights.--The rights and remedies provided for in
this subsection may not be waived by any agreement, policy, form, or
condition of employment, including by any pre-dispute arbitration
agreement or collective bargaining agreement.
``(16) Savings.--Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to
diminish the rights, privileges, or remedies of any employee who
exercises rights under any Federal or State law or common law, or under
any collective bargaining agreement.
``(17) Election of Venue.--
``(A) In general.--An employee of an employer who is
located in a State that has a State plan approved under section
18 may file a complaint alleging a violation of paragraph (1)
or (2) by such employer with--
``(i) the Secretary under paragraph (5); or
``(ii) a State plan administrator in such State.
``(B) Referrals.--If--
``(i) the Secretary receives a complaint pursuant
to subparagraph (A)(i), the Secretary shall not refer
such complaint to a State plan administrator for
resolution; or
``(ii) a State plan administrator receives a
complaint pursuant to subparagraph (A)(ii), the State
plan administrator shall not refer such complaint to
the Secretary for resolution.''.
(d) Relation to Enforcement.--Section 17(j) of such Act (29 U.S.C.
666(j)) is amended by inserting before the period the following: ``,
including the history of violations under section 11(c)''.
TITLE III--IMPROVING REPORTING, INSPECTION, AND ENFORCEMENT
PART A--DUTIES AND STANDARDS
SEC. 301. GENERAL DUTY OF EMPLOYERS.
Section 5 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 654(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by amending paragraph (1) to read as
follows:
``(1) shall furnish employment and a place of employment
that are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are
likely to cause death or serious physical harm and that the
employer creates or controls or to which the employer exposes
any employee of the employer or any other person performing
work at the place of employment; and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(c) Each employee or other person exposed to a hazard in
violation of subsection (a) may constitute a separate violation.''.
SEC. 302. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS.
Section 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 655) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``Without regard'' and inserting
``(1) Without regard'';
(B) by striking ``chapter 5'' and inserting
``chapters 5 and 6'';
(C) by striking ``shall, as soon as practicable''
and inserting the following: ``shall--
``(A) as soon as practicable'';
(D) by striking ``In the'' and inserting the
following:
``(2) In the'';
(E) by striking ``designated employees.'' and
inserting ``designated employees; and'';
(F) by adding after paragraph (1) (as designated by
subparagraph (A)) the following:
``(B) not later than 2 years after the effective
date of section 601(a) of the Protecting America's
Workers Act, by rule update any national consensus
standard that has been promulgated or incorporated by
reference pursuant to this subsection, except that such
a standard shall not be updated pursuant to this
subparagraph, if--
``(i) the standard has been superseded by a
standard promulgated pursuant to subsection
(b); or
``(ii) the Secretary determines such update
would not result in improved health or safety
for specifically designated employees.''; and
(G) in paragraph (2) (as designated by subparagraph
(D)), by inserting ``including national consensus
standards, or in the event of a consolidation of
national consensus standards,'' after ``conflict among
any such standards,''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(h) No standard, rule, or regulation promulgated under this Act
shall reduce the protection afforded by an existing health or safety
standard, rule, regulation, or national consensus standard.''.
PART B--INSPECTIONS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND RECORDKEEPING
SEC. 311. POSTING OF EMPLOYEE RIGHTS.
Section 8(c)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
(29 U.S.C. 657(c)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
sentence: ``Such regulations shall include provisions requiring
employers to post for employees information on the protections afforded
under section 11(c).''.
SEC. 312. EMPLOYER REPORTING OF WORK-RELATED INJURIES, ILLNESS, DEATHS,
AND HOSPITALIZATIONS; PROHIBITION ON DISCOURAGING
EMPLOYEE REPORTING.
Section 8(c)(2) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 657(c)(2)) is amended by
adding at the end the following: ``Such regulations shall contain the
following:
``(A) A requirement that employers promptly notify the
Secretary of any work-related death or work-related injury or
illness that results in the in-patient hospitalization of any
employee for medical treatment, amputation, or loss of an eye.
``(B) A prohibition on the adoption or implementation by
employers of policies or practices that have the effect of
discouraging accurate recordkeeping and the reporting of work-
related injuries or illnesses by any employee, or in any manner
discriminates or provides for adverse action against any
employee for reporting a work-related injury or illness.
``(C) A requirement that, at a minimum, employers subject
to the requirements of sections 1904.41 and 1902.7(d) of title
29, Code of Federal Regulations (as amended by the final
regulations of the Department of Labor published in the Federal
Register on May 12, 2016 (81 Fed. Reg. 29624 et seq.)) shall,
on at least an annual basis, electronically report to the
Secretary information from the records of work-related deaths,
injuries, and illnesses required to be made and maintained
under this paragraph, which shall include the information
required to be made and maintained in accordance with such
sections 1904.41 and 1902.7(d), and a requirement that the
Secretary make such reports available to the public in a
searchable format.
``(D) A requirement that each site-controlling employer
keep, maintain, and make available a site log for all
recordable injuries and illnesses occurring for any employee at
each work site for which the employer is the site-controlling
employer, including employees of the site-controlling employer
and others who are performing work at such site (including
independent contractors). For purposes of this subparagraph,
the term `site-controlling employer' means the employer that
has primary control over a work site at which employees of more
than one employer work, such as by hiring or coordinating the
work of other employers working at the site.''.
SEC. 313. NO LOSS OF EMPLOYEE PAY FOR INSPECTIONS.
Section 8(e) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 657(e)) is amended by inserting
after the first sentence the following: ``Time spent by an employee
participating in or aiding any such inspection shall be deemed to be
hours worked and no employee shall suffer any loss of wages, benefits,
or other terms and conditions of employment for having participated in
or aided any such inspection.''.
SEC. 314. INVESTIGATIONS OF FATALITIES AND SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS.
Section 8 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 657), as amended by sections 311
through 313, is further amended by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(i) Investigation of Fatalities and Serious Incidents.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall investigate any
significant incident or an incident resulting in death that
occurs in a place of employment.
``(2) Evidence preservation.--If a significant incident or
an incident resulting in death occurs in a place of employment,
the employer shall promptly notify the Secretary of the
incident involved and shall take appropriate measures to
prevent the destruction or alteration of any evidence that
would assist in investigating the incident. The appropriate
measures required by this paragraph do not prevent an employer
from taking action on a worksite to prevent injury to employees
or substantial damage to property or to avoid disruption of
essential services necessary to public safety, provided that if
an employer takes such action, the employer shall notify the
Secretary of the action in a timely fashion.
``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Incident resulting in death.--The term
`incident resulting in death' means an incident that
results in the death of an employee.
``(B) Significant incident.--The term `significant
incident' means an incident that results in the in-
patient hospitalization of 2 or more employees for
medical treatment.''.
SEC. 315. RECORDKEEPING.
(a) Rule Required.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration shall issue a final rule amending its recordkeeping
regulations under section 8(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 657(c)) to clarify that--
(1) the duty to make and maintain accurate records of work-
related injuries and illnesses is an ongoing obligation;
(2) the duty to make and maintain such records continues
for as long as the employer is required to keep records of the
recordable injury or illness; and
(3) such duty does not expire solely because the employer
fails to create the necessary records when first required to do
so.
(b) Authorization.--Subsection (a) shall be considered a specific
authorization by Congress in accordance with section 801(b)(2) of title
5, United States Code, with respect to the issuance of a new
recordkeeping rule.
PART C--CITATIONS
SEC. 321. PERIOD FOR ISSUANCE OF A CITATION.
Section 9(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 658(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``For
purposes of this subsection, a violation continues to occur for as long
as an employer has not satisfied the requirements, rules, standards,
orders, and regulations referenced in subsection (a).''.
SEC. 322. PROHIBITION ON UNCLASSIFIED CITATIONS.
Section 9 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 658) is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) No citation for a violation of this Act may be issued,
modified, or settled under this section without a designation
enumerated in section 17 with respect to such violation.''.
PART D--RIGHTS OF VICTIMS AND FAMILIES
SEC. 331. RIGHTS OF VICTIMS AND FAMILIES.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 651 et
seq.) is amended by inserting after section 9 (29 U.S.C. 658) the
following:
``SEC. 9A. VICTIMS' RIGHTS.
``(a) Rights Before the Secretary.--A victim or the representative
of a victim, shall be afforded the right, with respect to an inspection
or investigation conducted under section 8 to--
``(1) meet with the Secretary regarding the inspection or
investigation conducted under such section before the
Secretary's decision to issue a citation or take no action;
``(2) receive, at no cost, a copy of any citation or
report, issued as a result of such inspection or investigation,
at the same time as the employer receives such citation or
report;
``(3) be informed of any notice of contest or addition of
parties to the proceedings filed under section 10(c); and
``(4) be provided notification of the date and time or any
proceedings, service of pleadings, and other relevant
documents, and an explanation of the rights of the employer,
employee and employee representative, and victim to participate
in proceedings conducted under section 10(c).
``(b) Rights Before the Commission.--Upon request, a victim or
representative of a victim shall be afforded the right with respect to
a work-related bodily injury or death to--
``(1) be notified of the time and date of any proceeding
before the Commission;
``(2) receive pleadings and any decisions relating to the
proceedings; and
``(3) be provided an opportunity to appear and make a
statement in accordance with the rules prescribed by the
Commission.
``(c) Modification of Citation.--Before entering into an agreement
to withdraw or modify a citation issued as a result of an inspection or
investigation of an incident under section 8, the Secretary shall
notify a victim or representative of a victim and provide the victim or
representative of a victim with an opportunity to appear and make a
statement before the parties conducting settlement negotiations. In
lieu of an appearance, the victim or representative of the victim may
elect to submit a letter to the Secretary and the parties.
``(d) Secretary Procedures.--The Secretary shall establish
procedures--
``(1) to inform victims of their rights under this section;
and
``(2) for the informal review of any claim of a denial of
such a right.
``(e) Commission Procedures and Considerations.--The Commission
shall--
``(1) establish procedures relating to the rights of
victims to be heard in proceedings before the Commission; and
``(2) in rendering any decision, provide due consideration
to any statement or information provided by any victim before
the Commission.
``(f) Family Liaisons.--The Secretary shall designate at least 1
employee at each area office of the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration to serve as a family liaison to--
``(1) keep victims informed of the status of
investigations, enforcement actions, and settlement
negotiations; and
``(2) assist victims in asserting their rights under this
section.
``(g) Definition.--In this section, the term `victim' means--
``(1) an employee, including a former employee, who has
sustained a work-related injury or illness that is the subject
of an inspection or investigation conducted under section 8; or
``(2) a family member (as further defined by the Secretary)
of a victim described in paragraph (1), if--
``(A) the victim dies as a result of an incident
that is the subject of an inspection or investigation
conducted under section 8; or
``(B) the victim sustains a work-related injury or
illness that is the subject of an inspection or
investigation conducted under section 8, and the victim
because of incapacity cannot reasonably exercise the
rights under this section.''.
PART E--PROCEDURE FOR ENFORCEMENT
SEC. 341. RIGHT TO CONTEST CITATIONS AND PENALTIES.
Section 10(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 659(c)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence--
(A) by inserting after ``that he intends to contest
a citation issued under section (9)'' the following:
``(or a modification of a citation issued under this
section)'';
(B) by inserting after ``the issuance of a citation
under section 9'' the following: ``(including a
modification of a citation issued under such
section)''; and
(C) by inserting after ``files a notice with the
Secretary alleging'' the following: ``that the citation
fails properly to designate the violation as serious,
willful, or repeated, that the proposed penalty is not
adequate, or'';
(2) by inserting after the first sentence, the following:
``The pendency of a contest before the Commission shall not bar
the Secretary from inspecting a place of employment or from
issuing a citation under section 9.''; and
(3) by amending the last sentence--
(A) by inserting ``employers and'' after
``Commission shall provide''; and
(B) by inserting before the period at the end ``,
and notification of any modification of a citation''.
SEC. 342. CORRECTION OF SERIOUS, WILLFUL, OR REPEATED VIOLATIONS
PENDING CONTEST AND PROCEDURES FOR A STAY.
Section 10 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 659) is further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Correction of Serious, Willful, or Repeated Violations
Pending Contest and Procedures for a Stay.--
``(1) Period permitted for correction of serious, willful,
or repeated violations.--For each violation which the Secretary
designates as serious, willful, or repeated, the period
permitted for the correction of the violation shall begin to
run upon receipt of the citation.
``(2) Filing of a motion of contest.--The filing of a
notice of contest by an employer--
``(A) shall not operate as a stay of the period for
correction of a violation designated as serious,
willful, or repeated; and
``(B) may operate as a stay of the period for
correction of a violation not designated by the
Secretary as serious, willful, or repeated.
``(3) Criteria and rules of procedure for stays.--
``(A) Motion for a stay.--An employer that receives
a citation alleging a violation designated as serious,
willful, or repeated and that files a notice of contest
to the citation asserting that the time set for
abatement of the alleged violation is unreasonable or
challenging the existence of the alleged violation may
file with the Commission a motion to stay the period
for the abatement of the violation.
``(B) Criteria.--In determining whether a stay
should be issued on the basis of a motion filed under
subparagraph (A), the Commission may grant a stay only
if the employer has demonstrated--
``(i) a substantial likelihood of success
on the areas contested under subparagraph (A);
and
``(ii) that a stay will not adversely
affect the health and safety of workers.
``(C) Rules of procedure.--The Commission shall
develop rules of procedure for conducting a hearing on
a motion filed under subparagraph (A) on an expedited
basis. At a minimum, such rules shall provide:
``(i) That a hearing before an
administrative law judge shall occur not later
than 15 days following the filing of the motion
for a stay (unless extended at the request of
the employer), and shall provide for a decision
on the motion not later than 15 days following
the hearing (unless extended at the request of
the employer).
``(ii) That a decision of an administrative
law judge on a motion for stay is rendered on a
timely basis.
``(iii) That if a party is aggrieved by a
decision issued by an administrative law judge
regarding the stay, such party has the right to
file an objection with the Commission not later
than 5 days after receipt of the administrative
law judge's decision. Within 10 days after
receipt of the objection, a Commissioner, if a
quorum is seated pursuant to section 12(f),
shall decide whether to grant review of the
objection. If, within 10 days after receipt of
the objection, no decision is made on whether
to review the decision of the administrative
law judge, the Commission declines to review
such decision, or no quorum is seated, the
decision of the administrative law judge shall
become a final order of the Commission. If the
Commission grants review of the objection, the
Commission shall issue a decision regarding the
stay not later than 30 days after receipt of
the objection. If the Commission fails to issue
such decision within 30 days, the decision of
the administrative law judge shall become a
final order of the Commission.
``(iv) For notification to employees or
representatives of affected employees of
requests for such hearings and shall provide
affected employees or representatives of
affected employees an opportunity to
participate as parties to such hearings.''.
SEC. 343. INACTION BY THE REVIEW COMMISSION.
Section 10 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 659), as amended by sections 341 and 342, is further amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(e) Inaction by Review Commission.--
``(1) In general.--A decision or order issued by an
administrative law judge of the Commission for which a petition
for review has been filed in a timely manner, and for which 1
year after the Commission has accepted such petition and
directed that such petition be reviewed by the Commission, the
Commission has failed to issue a final decision or order
because the Commission lacks a quorum--
``(A) shall be deemed a final decision or order of
the Commission; and
``(B) may be appealed pursuant to section 11(a).
``(2) Exception.--Paragraph (1) shall not apply with
respect to motions to stay filed under subsection (d)(3).''.
SEC. 344. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Violations Designated as Serious, Willful, or Repeated.--The
first sentence of section 10(b) of the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 659(b)) is amended by inserting ``, with the
exception of violations designated as serious, willful, or repeated,''
after ``(which period shall not begin to run''.
(b) Judicial Review.--The first sentence of section 11(a) of the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 660(a)) is
amended--
(1) by inserting ``(or the failure of the Commission,
including an administrative law judge, to make a timely
decision on a petition for a stay or other review)'' after ``an
order'';
(2) by striking ``subsection (c)'' and inserting
``subsection (c), (d), or (e)''; and
(3) by inserting ``(or in the case of a petition from a
final Commission order regarding a stay under section 10(d), 15
days)'' after ``sixty days''.
(c) Failure To Correct Violations.--Section 17(d) of the
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 666(d)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(d) Any employer who fails to correct a violation designated by
the Secretary as serious, willful, or repeated and for which a citation
has been issued under section 9(a) within the period permitted for its
correction (and a stay has not been issued by the Commission under
section 10(d)) may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $7,000
for each day during which such failure or violation continues. Any
employer who fails to correct any other violation for which a citation
has been issued under section 9(a) of this title within the period
permitted for its correction (which period shall not begin to run until
the date of the final order of the Commission in the case of any review
proceeding under section 10 initiated by the employer in good faith and
not solely for delay of avoidance of penalties) may be assessed a civil
penalty of not more than $7,000 for each day during which such failure
or violation continues.''.
PART F--PENALTIES
SEC. 351. CIVIL PENALTIES.
(a) In General.--Section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 666) is further amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``$70,000'' and inserting
``$700,000'';
(B) by striking ``$5,000'' and inserting
``$50,000''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following: ``In
determining whether a violation is repeated, the
Secretary or the Commission shall consider the
employer's history of violations under this Act and
under State occupational safety and health plans
established under section 18.'';
(2) in subsection (b), by striking ``$7,000'' and inserting
``$70,000'';
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``$7,000'' and inserting
``$15,625'';
(4) in subsection (d), as amended by section 344(c), by
striking ``$7,000'' inserting ``$70,000'';
(5) by redesignating subsections (e) through (i) and
subsections (j) through (l), as subsections (f) through (j) and
subsections (l) through (n), respectively; and
(6) in subsection (j) (as so redesignated) by striking
``$7,000'' and inserting ``$15,625''.
(b) Inflation Adjustment.--Section 17 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 666),
as amended by subsection (a), is further amended by inserting after
subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Amounts provided under this section for civil penalties shall
be adjusted by the Secretary once each year, not later than January 15
of such year, to account for the percentage increase or decrease in the
Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers during such period,
consistent with the requirements of the Federal Civil Penalties
Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (28 U.S.C. 2461 note).''.
SEC. 352. CRIMINAL PENALTIES.
(a) In General.--Section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health
Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 666) (as amended by section 351) is further
amended--
(1) by amending subsection (f) (as redesignated by section
351(a)(5)) to read as follows:
``(f)(1) Any employer who knowingly violates any standard, rule, or
order promulgated under section 6 of this Act, or of any regulation
prescribed under this Act, and that violation caused or significantly
contributed to the death of any employee, shall, upon conviction, be
punished by a fine in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or
by imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both, except that if the
conviction is for a violation committed after a first conviction of
such person under this subsection or subsection (i), punishment shall
be by a fine in accordance title 18, United States Code, or by
imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or by both.
``(2) For the purpose of this subsection, the term `employer'
means, in addition to the definition contained in section 3 of this
Act, any officer or director.'';
(2) by amending subsection (g) (as redesignated by section
351(a)(5)) to read as follows:
``(g) Unless otherwise authorized by this Act, any person that
knowingly gives, causes to give, or attempts to give or cause to give,
advance notice of any inspection conducted under this Act with the
intention of impeding, interfering with, or adversely affecting the
results of such inspection, shall be fined under title 18, United
States Code, imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both.'';
(3) in subsection (h) (as redesignated by section
351(a)(5)), by striking ``fine of not more than $10,000, or by
imprisonment for not more than six months,'' and inserting
``fine in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or by
imprisonment for not more than 5 years,''; and
(4) by inserting after subsection (j) (as redesignated by
section 351(a)(5)) the following:
``(k)(1) Any employer who knowingly violates any standard, rule, or
order promulgated under section 6, or any regulation prescribed under
this Act, and that violation caused or significantly contributed to
serious bodily harm to any employee but does not cause death to any
employee, shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine in accordance
with title 18, United States Code, or by imprisonment for not more than
5 years, or by both, except that if the conviction is for a violation
committed after a first conviction of such person under this subsection
or subsection (e), punishment shall be by a fine in accordance with
title 18, United States Code, or by imprisonment for not more than 10
years, or by both.
``(2) For the purpose of this subsection, the term `employer'
means, in addition to the definition contained in section 3 of this
Act, any officer or director.
``(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term `serious bodily
harm' means bodily injury or illness that involves--
``(A) a substantial risk of death;
``(B) protracted unconsciousness;
``(C) protracted and obvious physical disfigurement; or
``(D) protracted loss or impairment, either temporary or
permanent, of the function of a bodily member, organ, or mental
faculty.''.
(b) Jurisdiction for Prosecution Under State and Local Criminal
Laws.--Such section 17 (29 U.S.C. 666) is further amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(o) Nothing in this Act shall preclude a State or local law
enforcement agency from conducting criminal prosecutions in accordance
with the laws of such State or locality.''.
SEC. 353. PREJUDGMENT INTEREST.
Section 17(n) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 666(n)) (as redesignated by section 351(a)(5)) is amended by
adding at the end the following: ``Pre-final order interest on such
penalties shall begin to accrue on the date the party contests a
citation issued under this Act, and shall end upon the issuance of the
final order. Such pre-final order interest shall be calculated at the
current underpayment rate determined by the Secretary of the Treasury
pursuant to section 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and
shall be compounded daily. Post-final order interest shall begin to
accrue 30 days after the date a final order of the Commission or the
court is issued, and shall be charged at the rate of 8 percent per
year.''.
TITLE IV--STATE PLANS
SEC. 401. CONCURRENT ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY AND REVIEW OF STATE
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH PLANS.
Section 18 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 668) is amended--
(1) by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:
``(f)(1) The Secretary shall, on the basis of reports submitted by
the State agency and the Secretary's own inspections, make a continuing
evaluation of the manner in which each State that has a plan approved
under this section is carrying out such plan. Such evaluation shall
include an assessment of whether the State continues to meet the
requirements of subsection (c) of this section and any other criteria
or indices of effectiveness specified by the Secretary in regulations.
Whenever the Secretary finds, on the basis of such evaluation, that in
the administration of the State plan there is a failure to comply
substantially with any provision of the State plan (or any assurance
contained therein), the Secretary shall make an initial determination
of whether the failure is of such a nature that the plan should be
withdrawn or whether the failure is of such a nature that the State
should be given the opportunity to remedy the deficiencies, and provide
notice of the Secretary's findings and initial determination.
``(2) If the Secretary makes an initial determination to reassert
and exercise concurrent enforcement authority while the State is given
an opportunity to remedy the deficiencies, the Secretary shall afford
the State an opportunity for a public hearing within 15 days of such
request, provided that such request is made not later than 10 days
after Secretary's notice to the State. The Secretary shall review and
consider the testimony, evidence, or written comments, and not later
than 30 days following such hearing, make a determination to affirm,
reverse, or modify the Secretary's initial determination to reassert
and exercise concurrent enforcement authority under sections 8, 9, 10,
13, and 17 with respect to standards promulgated under section 6 and
obligations under section 5(a). Following such a determination by the
Secretary, or in the event that the State does not request a hearing
within the timeframe set forth in this paragraph, the Secretary may
reassert and exercise such concurrent enforcement authority, while a
final determination is pending under paragraph (3) or until the
Secretary has determined that the State has remedied the deficiencies
as provided under paragraph (4). Such determination shall be published
in the Federal Register. The procedures set forth in section 18(g)
shall not apply to a determination by the Secretary to reassert and
exercise such concurrent enforcement authority.
``(3) If the Secretary makes an initial determination that the plan
should be withdrawn, the Secretary shall provide due notice and the
opportunity for a hearing. If based on the evaluation, comments, and
evidence, the Secretary makes a final determination that there is a
failure to comply substantially with any provision of the State plan
(or any assurance contained therein), he shall notify the State agency
of the withdrawal of approval of such plan and upon receipt of such
notice such plan shall cease to be in effect, but the State may retain
jurisdiction in any case commenced before the withdrawal of the plan in
order to enforce standards under the plan whenever the issues involved
do not relate to the reasons for the withdrawal of the plan.
``(4) If the Secretary makes a determination that the State should
be provided the opportunity to remedy the deficiencies, the Secretary
shall provide the State an opportunity to respond to the Secretary's
findings and the opportunity to remedy such deficiencies within a time
period established by the Secretary, not to exceed 1 year. The
Secretary may extend and revise the time period to remedy such
deficiencies, if the State's legislature is not in session during this
1-year time period, or if the State demonstrates that it is not
feasible to correct the deficiencies in the time period set by the
Secretary, and the State has a plan to correct the deficiencies within
a reasonable time period. If the Secretary finds that the State agency
has failed to remedy such deficiencies within the time period specified
by the Secretary and that the State plan continues to fail to comply
substantially with a provision of the State plan, the Secretary shall
withdraw the State plan as provided for in paragraph (3).''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(i) Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this
subsection, and again 5 years thereafter, the Comptroller General shall
complete and issue a review of the effectiveness of State plans to
develop and enforce safety and health standards to determine if they
are at least as effective as the Federal program and to evaluate
whether the Secretary's oversight of State plans is effective. The
Comptroller General's evaluation shall assess--
``(1) the effectiveness of the Secretary's oversight of
State plans, including the indices of effectiveness used by the
Secretary;
``(2) whether the Secretary's investigations in response to
Complaints About State Plan Administration (CASPA) are
adequate, whether significant policy issues have been
identified by headquarters and corrective actions are fully
implemented by each State;
``(3) whether the formula for the distribution of funds
described in section 23(g) to State programs is fair and
adequate; and
``(4) whether State plans are as effective as the Federal
program in preventing occupational injuries, illnesses and
deaths, and investigating discrimination complaints, through an
evaluation of at least 20 percent of approved State plans, and
which shall cover--
``(A) enforcement effectiveness, including handling
of fatalities, serious incidents and complaints,
compliance with inspection procedures, hazard
recognition, verification of abatement, violation
classification, citation and penalty issuance,
including appropriate use of willful and repeat
citations, and employee involvement;
``(B) inspections, the number of programmed health
and safety inspections at private and public sector
establishments, and whether the State targets the
highest hazard private sector work sites and facilities
in that State;
``(C) budget and staffing, including whether the
State is providing adequate budget resources to hire,
train and retain sufficient numbers of qualified staff,
including timely filling of vacancies;
``(D) administrative review, including the quality
of decisions, consistency with Federal precedent,
transparency of proceedings, decisions and records are
available to the public, adequacy of State defense, and
whether the State appropriately appeals adverse
decisions;
``(E) anti-discrimination, including whether
discrimination complaints are processed in a timely
manner, whether supervisors and investigators are
properly trained to investigate discrimination
complaints, whether a case file review indicates merit
cases are properly identified consistent with Federal
policy and procedure, whether employees are notified of
their rights, and whether there is an effective process
for employees to appeal the dismissal of a complaint;
``(F) program administration, including whether the
State's standards and policies are at least as
effective as the Federal program and are updated in a
timely manner, and whether National Emphasis Programs
that are applicable in such States are adopted and
implemented in a manner that is at least as effective
as the Federal program;
``(G) whether the State plan satisfies the
requirements for approval set forth in this section and
its implementing regulations; and
``(H) other such factors identified by the
Comptroller General, or as requested by the Committee
on Education and the Workforce of the House of
Representatives or the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.''.
SEC. 402. EVALUATION OF REPEATED VIOLATIONS IN STATE PLANS.
Section 18(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29
U.S.C. 668(c)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``, and'' and inserting a
comma;
(2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``, and''; and
(3) by adding after paragraph (8) the following new
paragraph:
``(9) provides that in determining whether a violation is
repeated, the State shall consider the employer's violations
within the State, in conjunction with the employer's history of
violations under other States' occupational safety and health
plans approved by the Secretary and the employer's history of
violations in those States where the Secretary has jurisdiction
under this Act, in a manner that is at least as effective as
provided under section 17.''.
TITLE V--NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
SEC. 501. HEALTH HAZARD EVALUATIONS BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH.
Section 20(a)(6) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
(29 U.S.C. 669(a)(6)) is amended by striking the second sentence and
inserting the following: ``The Secretary shall determine following a
written request by any employer, authorized representative of current
or former employees, physician, other Federal agency, or State or local
health department, specifying with reasonable particularity the grounds
on which the request is made, whether any substance normally found in
the place of employment has potentially toxic effects in such
concentrations as used or found or whether any physical agents,
equipment, or working condition found or used has potentially hazardous
effects; and shall submit such determination both to employers and
affected employees as soon as possible.''.
SEC. 502. TRAINING AND EMPLOYEE EDUCATION.
Paragraph (1) of section 21(c) of the Occupational Safety and
Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 670(c)) is amended to read as follows:
``(1) provide for the establishment and supervision of programs for the
education and training of employers and employees in the recognition,
avoidance, and prevention of unsafe or unhealthful working conditions,
and employee rights and employer responsibilities under this Act, which
shall include grant programs to provide grants for nonprofit
organizations (including grants to develop or expand the capacity of
such organizations to provide safety and health training, education,
and related assistance to the targeted audiences, grants for the
training of employees and employers on occupational safety and health
hazards of particular concern or for particular industries, or groups
of workers at high risk of injury, illness, or exposure to hazards, and
grants for the development of training materials on particular topics),
and''.
TITLE VI--EFFECTIVE DATE
SEC. 601. EFFECTIVE DATE.
(a) General Rule.--Except as provided for in subsection (b), this
Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date
that is 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Exception for States and Political Subdivisions.--The following
are exceptions to the effective date described in subsection (a):
(1) A State that has a State plan approved under section 18
of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C.
667) shall amend its State plan to conform with the
requirements of this Act and the amendments made by this Act
not later than 12 months after the date of the enactment of
this Act. The Secretary of Labor may extend the period for a
State to make such amendments to its State plan by not more
than 12 months, if the State's legislature is not in session
during the 12-month period beginning with the date of the
enactment of this Act. Such amendments to the State plan shall
take effect not later than 90 days after the adoption of such
amendments by such State.
(2) This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take
effect on the date that is 36 months after the date of the
enactment of this Act with respect to a workplace of a State,
or a political subdivision of a State, that does not have a
State plan approved under such section 18 (29 U.S.C. 667).
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
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