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H.R. 6597: Labor Enforcement to Securely Protect Workers Act

The Labor Enforcement to Securely Protect Workers Act, also known as the LET’S Protect Workers Act, seeks to enhance the protection of workers and children through increased civil penalties and other measures. The key provisions of the bill include:

1. Increased Civil Penalties

The bill proposes significant increases in civil penalties for various violations related to labor laws:

Child Labor Violations: Penalties for violations concerning child labor would increase to a maximum of $150,000 (from previous amounts) for each violation, with more severe penalties for instances causing serious injury or death to minors.
Wage and Hour Violations: The penalties for violations related to wage and hour regulations would be raised to a maximum of $50,000 for repeated or willful violations.
Workplace Health and Safety Violations: Penalties related to violations of health and safety regulations would increase dramatically, with maximum penalties raising from $70,000 to $800,000 in certain circumstances.
Farmworker Protections: The civil penalty for violations under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act would rise from $1,000 to $30,000.

2. Protection for Workers Facing Retaliation

The bill would introduce civil penalties for employers who retaliate against employees for exercising their rights. The penalties could reach up to $100,000 for repeated violations.

3. Enforcement Improvement

Improvements in enforcement mechanisms for health plans and employee rights are proposed, ensuring compliance with requirements for mental health and substance use disorder treatments.

The bill emphasizes enforcement of parity between mental health and substance use disorder benefits within employee health plans.
It allows for civil penalties for non-compliance, extending responsibilities to plan sponsors and administrators.

4. Increased Scrutiny for Recordkeeping Violations

The legislation proposes that violations related to making and keeping records would be classified as ongoing until corrective actions are taken. Employers who fail to maintain proper records risk ongoing penalties until compliance is achieved.

5. Workers' Rights and Family Medical Leave

Enhancements to the Family and Medical Leave Act are included, such as increasing penalties for violations of employee rights regarding leave policies. Employers violating these provisions could face significant civil penalties.

6. Effective Date and Application

Most provisions of the bill are set to take effect on January 1, 2027, applying to violations occurring from that date onward, while some provisions regarding recordkeeping will be effective immediately upon enactment.

Relevant Companies

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Actions

2 actions

Date	Action
Dec. 10, 2025	Introduced in House
Dec. 10, 2025	Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and House Administration, 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.

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