Bill > S2549

This bill requires employers with 25 or more employees to provide workers with a minimum of 2 consecutive paid hours to vote during federal elections. The leave can be taken while polls are open and can include activities like voting in person or returning a mail-in ballot. Employers have the right to specify when these 2 hours occur, potentially requiring employees to take the time during early voting periods, and lunch or other breaks cannot be counted as part of this voting leave. The bill prohibits employers from interfering with or retaliating against employees who use this voting leave, with potential civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation. The Secretary of Labor is authorized to investigate potential violations and assess penalties, taking into account factors like the employer's size, good faith, and previous violation history. Importantly, the bill does not prevent states or local jurisdictions from providing more generous voting leave policies. The law would take effect after the first federal election following its enactment, and it defines employees according to existing Fair Labor Standards Act definitions.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2549/all-info