Bill > HB470

This bill, known as the Paid Rest Period for Workers Act, requires employers with 15 or more employees to provide workers a paid 30-minute meal break or rest period when they work five or more consecutive hours. The bill defines key terms such as "employee" (anyone working for wages under an employer's direction), "employer" (any entity with 15+ workers), and "meal break or rest period" (a time for eating or personal activities distinct from brief breaks). The legislation mandates that these breaks must be paid and counted as time worked, with specific exemptions for collective bargaining agreements that provide equivalent or better protections and emergencies involving public safety or property danger. The bill empowers the Secretary of Labor and Industry to investigate potential violations, with enforcement mechanisms including workplace inspections, subpoena powers, and the ability to petition court enforcement. Penalties for non-compliance include administrative fines ranging from $100 to $500 per violation, with each affected employee and each missed break potentially constituting a separate violation. Additionally, the secretary can seek injunctive relief, recover lost wages for employees, and obtain reasonable attorney fees. The act will take effect 90 days after passage, providing employers time to adjust their policies to comply with the new requirements.

Labor and Employment

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=470