Bill > S1881

This bill amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to expand workplace safety protections to public employees by modifying the definition of "employee" to explicitly include workers for the United States government, state governments, and local government subdivisions. Currently, public employees are excluded from the Act's coverage, but this bill would change that exclusion, ensuring that public service workers are protected by the same occupational safety and health standards as private sector employees. The bill includes a phased implementation approach, with most provisions taking effect 90 days after enactment, but allowing a 36-month transition period for states and local governments that do not already have approved state-level occupational safety plans. The bill does not alter existing provisions related to state workplace safety plans, as specified in section 18 of the original Act, which means states can still maintain their own workplace safety regulations. By broadening the Act's coverage, the bill aims to provide comprehensive workplace safety protections for millions of public sector employees across the United States.

Health and Social Services

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1881/all-info