Bill > S1820

This bill, known as the "Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act," aims to clarify and strengthen employment discrimination laws across multiple federal statutes, including the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Rehabilitation Act. The key provisions establish that in discrimination cases, a plaintiff only needs to demonstrate that a protected characteristic (such as age, race, disability, etc.) was a "motivating factor" in an employment decision, rather than having to prove it was the sole cause. This makes it easier for workers to prove discrimination by allowing them to use any admissible evidence and removing the requirement of proving the protected characteristic was the exclusive reason for an employment action. For cases where an employer can show they would have made the same employment decision regardless of the discriminatory factor, the bill limits remedies to declaratory and injunctive relief and attorney's fees, without allowing damages, reinstatement, or other monetary compensation. The bill applies to all pending claims from the date of enactment and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the law is found unconstitutional, the rest of the law remains in effect. This legislation essentially lowers the legal burden of proof for workers alleging discrimination while still providing some protections for employers.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1820/all-info