HARRISBURG – In an effort to encourage bipartisan solutions, at a press conference on Tuesday, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) and other House members discussed the “Standing Up for Pennsylvania Workers” bill package currently under consideration in the House of Representatives that would improve the lives of the Commonwealth’s workers and their families. Joining Mackenzie were the prime sponsors of three of the bills – Reps. Ann Flood (R-Northampton), Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny), and Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland).

“As Republican chair of the House Labor and Industry Committee, I am a staunch advocate for Pennsylvania’s hard-working men and women. Throughout my tenure in Harrisburg, I have dedicated myself to addressing the pressing issues that impact our state’s workforce,” said Mackenzie. “Our six-bill package is another example of that effort. It’s a comprehensive set of proposals that are designed to enhance worker safety, promote fairness in the workplace, and support those who are striving to provide for their families.”

The proposals included in the bill package are as follows:

• Creating a Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit – House Bill 2000 (Mackenzie) would establish a new tax credit program to supplement the existing federal tax incentives for employers to provide paid family and medical leave to their employees. Many working families are struggling with rising costs, and this bill would provide some financial security when they’re needed at home.
• Authorizing Association Health Care Plans – House Bill 555 (Gaydos) would assist small businesses in providing health care benefits to their employees by creating a mechanism for employers to join together in an association. 

  “Cutting the cost of health care for our employees is imperative and this legislation is a meaningful step in that direction,” said Gaydos. “By enabling small business employers to pool their resources, we can leverage group buying power to significantly reduce health care costs. This is a practice already being successfully implemented in more than 30 states. If we enact similar measurers in Pennsylvania, we can empower our small businesses to become more competitive.”

• Regulating Pre-Employment Non-Disclosure Agreements – House Bill 1906 (Flood) would enable sexual harassment victims and survivors to speak out by prohibiting the enforcement of pre-employment non-disclosure agreements and non-disparagement agreements between employers and employees, independent contractors, and goods and services providers and consumers. 

  “Sexual harassment and assault in Pennsylvania’s workplaces are ongoing issues, with up to 81% of women experiencing harassment during their careers,” noted Flood. “House Bill 1906 is crucial for empowering victims to speak out without fear of retaliation, ensuring safer and more transparent environments for all workers.”

   

• Requiring E-Verify for All Public Contracts – House Bill 274 (Mackenzie) would require all public contractors and subcontractors to use the federal E-Verify system to ensure their employees do not include individuals not authorized to work in the United States.This bill would help protect jobs for American workers and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately on public projects.
• Addressing Health Care Facility Violence – House Bill 2593 (Mackenzie) would protect the rights of employees to report workplace violence to the facility or law enforcement and would require facilities to take specific actions when a report is received.
• Analyzing Public Sector Worker Safety – House Bill 959 (Nelson) would enable the Commonwealth to collect and review worker injury and illness data in the public sector.

“Pennsylvania can do better when it comes to worker safety by identifying why and how injuries happen, and then working to fix it,” said Nelson. “Our goal is simple. We want Pennsylvania’s workers to return home safely to their families”

“We are urging our colleagues across the aisle in the Democrat majority to join us in enacting these critical measures before the session concludes at the end of next month. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of countless Pennsylvanians,” added Mackenzie.

 

Information provided to TVL by:
Andy Briggs