Improved protection for workers and children through meaningful civil penalties

(a) Child labor Section 16(e)(1)(A) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 216(e)(1)(A)) is amended to read as follows: (A) Any person who violates the provisions of sections 12 or 13(c), relating to child labor, or any regulation issued pursuant to such sections, shall be subject to a civil penalty as follows: (i) Not more than $150,000, but not less than $1,500, for each employee who was the subject of such a violation. (ii) Not more than $700,000, but not less than $7,000, with regard to each such violation that causes the death or serious injury of any employee under the age of 18 years, which penalty may be doubled where the violation is a repeated or willful violation.. (b) Wage and hour protections Section 16(e) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 216(e)), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended— (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the first sentence— (i) by striking repeatedly or willfully; and (ii) by striking not to exceed $1,100 for each such violation and inserting not to exceed, for each such violation, $25,000 or, if such a violation is a repeated or willful violation, $50,000; and (B) in the second sentence, by striking not to exceed $1,100 for each such violation and inserting not to exceed, for each such violation, $25,000 or, if such a violation is a repeated or willful violation, $50,000; (2) by redesignating paragraphs (3), (4), and (5) as paragraphs (4), (5), and (6), respectively; and (3) by inserting after paragraph (2), as so amended, the following new paragraph: (3) Any person who violates section 11(c) shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500 for each such violation.. (c) Workers’ health and safety Section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 666) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking $70,000 and inserting $800,000; and (B) by striking $5,000 and inserting $60,000; (2) in subsection (b), by striking 7,000 and inserting $80,000; (3) in subsection (c), by striking $7,000 and inserting $40,000; (4) in subsection (d), by striking $7,000 and inserting $80,000; and (5) in subsection (i), by striking $7,000 and inserting $40,000. (d) Farmworker protections Section 503(a)(1) of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (29 U.S.C. 1853(a)(1)) is amended by striking $1,000 and inserting $30,000. (e) Mine safety and black lung benefits (1) Increased civil penalties during pattern of violations status Section 110(b) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 820(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, in the case of an operator who has been given written notice of a pattern of violations in accordance with paragraph (1) of section 104(e), such operator, for any violation of any provision of this Act occurring during the period beginning on the date that such notice was issued and ending on the date such pattern of violation is deemed to be terminated in accordance with paragraph (3) of section 104(e), shall be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary equal to the lesser of— (A) twice the amount that would, in the absence of this paragraph, be assessed by the Secretary for such violation; or (B) the maximum amount that may be assessed for such violation.. (2) Ensuring payment of penalties (A) Amendments Section 110 of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 820) is further amended— (i) by redesignating subsection (l) as subsection (m); and (ii) by inserting after subsection (k) the following: (l) Ensuring payment of penalties (1) Delinquent payment letter If the operator of a coal or other mine fails to pay any civil penalty assessment that has become a final order of the Commission or a court, not later than 45 days after such assessment becomes such a final order, the Secretary shall send the operator a letter advising the operator— (A) of the consequences under this subsection of such failure to pay; and (B) of the opportunity to enter into or modify a payment plan with the Secretary based upon a demonstrated inability to pay, including— (i) the procedure for entering into such plan; and (ii) the consequences of not entering into or not complying with such plan. (2) Withdrawal orders following failure to pay (A) In general If an operator that receives a letter under paragraph (1) with respect to an assessment, has not, by the date that is 180 days after such assessment became a final order, paid the assessment or entered into a payment plan described in paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall issue a withdrawal order until the operator pays such assessment in full (including interest and administrative costs) or enters into such a payment plan. (B) Subsequent withdrawal order If such operator enters into a payment plan with the Secretary on or after the date on which the Secretary issues a withdrawal order and at any time fails to comply with the terms specified in such payment plan, the Secretary shall reissue such withdrawal order until the operator rectifies the noncompliance with the payment plan in the manner specified in such payment plan. (C) Withdrawal order defined In this paragraph, the term withdrawal order means an order requiring an operator to cause all persons, except those referred to in section 104(c), to be withdrawn from, and to be prohibited from entering, the mine that is covered by the final order described in paragraph (1) with respect to such operator.. (B) Applicability of amendments (i) In general The amendments made by subparagraph (A) shall apply to all unpaid civil penalty assessments under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) that become a final order of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission or a court on or after the date of enactment of this Act. (ii) Prior final orders In the case of any unpaid civil penalty assessment that became such a final order before the date of enactment of this Act, the date on which such assessment became a final order shall be deemed to be the date of enactment of this Act. (3) Civil penalty for retaliation Section 110(a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 820(a)) is further amended— (A) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5); and (B) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: (4) If any person violates section 105(c), the Secretary shall propose, and the Commission shall assess, during any 3-year period, a civil penalty of not less than $10,000 or more than $100,000 for the first occurrence of such violation by such person, and not less than $20,000 or more than $200,000 for any subsequent violation by such person.. (4) Black lung benefits penalties Section 423(d)(1) Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 933(d)(1)) is amended by striking $1,000 and inserting $50,000 but not less than $5,000. (f) Family and medical leave (1) Interference with rights and proceedings Section 107(b) of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2617(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (4) Civil penalty In addition to any sums recovered by the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (2), any employer that violates section 105 may be assessed a civil money penalty not to exceed $25,000 for each separate offense.. (2) Notice Section 109(b) of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2619(b)) is amended by striking $100 and inserting $2,500. (3) Recordkeeping Section 106(b) of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (29 U.S.C. 2616(b)) is amended by adding Any employer that violates this subsection may be assessed a civil monetary penalty not to exceed $2,500 for each separate offense. at the end.