Labor & Employment (Minimum Wage)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 487: An Act amending Title 62 (Procurement) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in source selection and contract formation, further providing for supplies manufactured and services performed by persons with disabilities.

HB 487 amends Pennsylvania's procurement law to prioritize contracts for supplies manufactured and services performed by organizations employing people with disabilities, directly affecting Commonwealth agencies and disability service providers. The bill requires these contracts to be entered without competitive bidding if people with disabilities make a meaningful contribution to the work, mandates annual reviews for contracts over $300,000 to verify compliance, and phases out the use of federal subminimum wage certificates (14(c)) over two years. It also requires integrated work environments where employees with disabilities interact with non-disabled coworkers in state-contracted workplaces, with annual site visits to monitor compliance. The law aims to strengthen economic opportunities for people with disabilities through state procurement while ensuring fair pricing and accountability.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prioritizes state contracts for organizations employing people with disabilities, directly creating job opportunities and advancing inclusive employment standards in labor & employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 631: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing for an economic bill of rights.

HB 631 proposes adding a new "economic bill of rights" to Pennsylvania's state constitution, guaranteeing four specific rights: a living wage for supporting a family (Section 30a), affordable healthcare and health opportunities (30b), safe transportation infrastructure (30c), and safe working conditions (30d). This constitutional amendment would directly affect all Pennsylvania residents by establishing these economic rights as fundamental. The resolution outlines the process requiring two legislative passages by the General Assembly, followed by voter approval at the next eligible election. If approved by voters, it would become part of Pennsylvania's constitution.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly guarantees 'affordable healthcare and health opportunities' as a constitutional right (Section 30b), directly advancing healthcare access and rights per indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly guarantees safe working conditions (30d) and living wage (30a), directly advancing labor and employment rights through constitutional amendment.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly guarantees 'safe transportation infrastructure' (Section 30c) as a constitutional right, directly advancing transportation safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 637: An Act establishing the Youth Summer Employment Grant Program and the Youth Summer Employment Fund; and authorizing regulations.

HB 637 establishes Pennsylvania's Youth Summer Employment Grant Program, administered by the Department of Labor and Industry. The program provides grants to eligible employers (including businesses, nonprofits, and municipalities) who hire residents aged 15-18 for at least eight weeks during summer, pay at least $15/hour or the state minimum wage, and offer work or educational experiences. Grants amount to $5,000 for 10-20 youth, $10,000 for over 20 youth, with an additional $5,000 if 50% of hired youth live in historically disadvantaged communities (defined as areas with ≥20% poverty for 30+ years). Funding comes from a new nonlapsing Youth Summer Employment Fund in the State Treasury, with the department required to advertise the program to employers and schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds ($5k-$10k grants) to fund youth employment program, directly advancing public service funding under budget management.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes youth employment grants requiring $15/hr wage, advancing employment standards for young workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 715: 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 penalties.

HB 715 amends Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act of 1968 to increase penalties for employers who pay workers below the required minimum wage. It reclassifies violations based on the number of offenses and the total unpaid wages: under $150 for a first offense is a summary offense, while over $150 for a first or second offense becomes a misdemeanor, and third or subsequent offenses are felonies. The bill also establishes that each week an employee is underpaid and each affected employee counts as a separate offense, making penalties more severe for repeated violations. Employers cannot avoid liability by having employees agree to work for less than the minimum wage.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases penalties for wage theft under PA's Minimum Wage Act, strengthening enforcement and protecting workers' rights to receive mandated wages.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 24, 2025

HB 718: An Act amending the act of July 14, 1961 (P.L.637, No.329), known as the Wage Payment and Collection Law, further providing for definitions; providing for duty of department to report and for investigations; further providing for civil remedies and penalties, for liquidated damages and for criminal penalties; providing for employer liability; and establishing the Wage Enforcement Fund.

HB 718 amends Pennsylvania's Wage Payment and Collection Law to strengthen wage enforcement, directly affecting employers (including state/local governments, corporations, and contractors) and workers owed unpaid wages. It requires the Department of Labor to collect quarterly data on wage violations, fines, unpaid wages, and complaint resolution, then submit semiannual reports to lawmakers and post them publicly. The bill mandates quarterly investigations of "high-violation industries" (those with 25+ violations in two years) and updates penalties to $2,000 per violation or triple unpaid wages, whichever is greater, plus attorney fees. Employers failing to pay within 10 days of notice face these penalties, with each week of underpayment counted as a separate violation.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentStrengthens wage enforcement via mandatory quarterly violation reports, high-violation industry investigations, and a Wage Enforcement Fund to protect workers owed unpaid wages.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 679: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, providing for minimum hourly wage or living wage for education support professionals; in duties and powers of boards of school directors, further providing for majority vote required and recording; and imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry.

Senate Bill 679 proposes to establish a minimum hourly wage or a living wage for education support professionals in Pennsylvania's public schools, such as aides, custodians, and cafeteria staff. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, these employees would be paid at least $20 per hour or a living wage, whichever is greater, with overtime at one and a half times that rate. The Department of Labor and Industry would be responsible for determining and annually adjusting the living wage for each school entity. Public school entities would receive supplemental reimbursements from the Department of Education to help cover these increased wage costs, including payments for existing contracts that fall below the new minimum.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates $20/hour minimum wage or living wage for education support staff (aides, custodians, cafeteria workers), strengthening workforce stability in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes $20/hr minimum wage for school support staff, requiring annual living wage adjustments by Labor Dept, directly increasing compensation for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2025

HB 1023: An Act amending the act of January 17, 1968 (P.L.11, No.5), known as The Minimum Wage Act of 1968, providing for employment in executive capacity, for employment in administrative capacity and for employment in professional capacity.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act to establish new salary thresholds for employees classified as exempt in executive, administrative, or professional roles, affecting employers and workers in these positions. It defines "executive capacity" as requiring management duties, directing two or more employees, and having hiring/firing authority, with a minimum weekly salary starting at $844 (effective October 2027), rising to $1,128 by 2029, and then adjusting every three years based on Pennsylvania's 10th percentile wage for exempt workers. Employers may meet up to 10% of the salary requirement through nondiscretionary bonuses, incentives, or commissions paid annually. The bill does not alter minimum wage rates for non-exempt workers but clarifies exemption criteria for specific job classifications.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRaises salary thresholds for exempt workers, expanding overtime eligibility and strengthening wage protections under Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 13: An Act providing for mandatory Statewide employer-paid sick leave for employees and for civil penalties and remedies.

This bill requires most Pennsylvania employers to provide paid sick leave to employees, directly affecting workers and their families who need time for medical care, family health needs, or public health emergencies. Employees earn one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked (max 56 hours/year), with rules on accrual, carryover, and usage. Employers with existing equivalent paid leave policies (covering the same purposes and conditions) are exempt. The bill mandates employers to provide written notice of leave policies and prohibits retaliation against employees using sick leave, with pay calculated at the employee's regular rate or minimum wage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires paid sick leave for medical care access, enabling employees to seek treatment without financial penalty - directly improves healthcare access per bill's medical care purpose clause.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates employer-paid sick leave, expanding worker benefits and protecting health needs, aligning with support indicators for labor protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Labor Standards Minimum Wage Paid Leave

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 1150: 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 preemption.

HB 1150 raises Pennsylvania's minimum wage to $15 per hour starting January 1, 2026, with annual increases thereafter. It also establishes a phased timeline for tipped employees: requiring higher base cash wages starting in 2025 (e.g., $5.00/hour after June 2025) and mandating that by July 1, 2029, employers must pay the full minimum wage without relying on tips. The bill ensures all tips received by employees remain their property and cannot be used by employers to meet minimum wage requirements. This directly affects most private-sector employers and tipped workers in Pennsylvania, particularly in hospitality and service industries.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRaises minimum wage to $15/hr by 2026, mandates full tip retention for workers, strengthening wage protections and workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 18, 2025

SB 852: 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 preemption.

SB 852 updates Pennsylvania's Minimum Wage Act to establish new hourly wage rates starting in 2026 ($12/hour) and 2027 ($15/hour), with automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index beginning in 2025. It clarifies that tipped workers must retain all tips, cannot be required to surrender tips to employers to meet wage requirements, and must be informed in writing about their minimum wage entitlement. The bill also preempts local ordinances, meaning cities cannot set higher minimum wages than this state law. It directly affects all Pennsylvania employers and workers, particularly those in tipped occupations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum wage to $15/hr with COLA, protects tipped workers' tip retention, and clarifies wage entitlements per Labor & Employment indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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