Labor Rights

B23-0870 - Protecting Business and Workers from COVID-19 Emergency Amendment Act of 2020

To require, on an emergency basis, employers to adopt and implement social distancing policies that require employees to wear personal protective equipment in the workplace, to require employers to provide employees with personal protective equipment, to permit employers to require that employees inform their employers of a positive test for an active COVID-19 infection, to prohibit retaliation against an employee who refuses to work with or serve an individual who refuses to social distance or wear personal protective equipment, to prohibit retaliation against an employee because the employee tests positive for, is quarantining because of COVID-19, or is caring for someone who has symptoms of or is quarantining because of COVID-19, and to prohibit retaliation against an employee who attempts to exercise any right or protection under Title I or to stop or prevent a violation of the worker safety provisions of Title I.

Date introduced: 07/27/20                   Status: Passed

Vote: 10-3 in favor              "No" votes: Todd, Grosso, Mendelson

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B23-0870


PR23-0914 - Protecting Business and Workers from COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2020

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to require workplaces to have policies for social distancing, face coverings, and access to personal protective equipment; and to provide funds for small businesses to purchase personal protective equipment; and to prohibit retaliation against workers who act in the interest of the health and safety of themselves, coworkers, and customers.

Date introduced: 07/27/20                             Status: Approved

Vote: 9-4 in favor               "No" votes: Bonds, Cheh, Todd, Mendelson

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/PR23-0914


B23-0871 - Protecting Business and Workers from COVID-19 Temporary Amendment Act of 2020

Date introduced: 07/27/20                              Status: Under Council Review

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B23-0871


B23-0570 - First Source Resident Employment Amendment Act of 2019

As introduced Bill 23-570 requires the Department of Employment Services ("DOES") to permit organizations to provide DOES with qualified candidates for inclusion in the First Source Register. The register was established to ensure that District residents are given priority for new jobs created by municipal financing and development programs. It requires DOES to proactively identify individuals who are "hard to serve" and to develop standard operating procedures for its role in First Source. Among other things, it requires that the workforce intermediary program be used exclusively for First Source projects or contracts.

Date introduced: 12/03/19                             Status: Under Council Review

Supporters: R. White, Bonds, Nadeau, Gray, T. White

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B23-0570


B23-0494 - Ban on Non-Compete Agreements Amendment Act of 2019

As introduced Bill 23-494 bans the use of non-compete provisions in employment agreements and workplace policies. It also protects employees' right to make a complaint or file a court case and it bars employers from retaliating against employees who inquire about their rights. Among other things, it specifies statutory penalties and relief for noncompliance.

Date introduced: 10/08/19                             Status: Under Council Review

Supporters: Evans, Allen, T. White, Cheh, Nadeau, Bonds, Mendelson, Gray

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B23-0494


B22-0617 - Marion S. Barry Summer Youth Employment Program Enhancement Amendment Act of 2017

As introduced, this bill requires that all applicants' age and residency must be certified by DOES prior to receiving placement. It sets time frames for placement and requires all host employers and sites be finalized before May 15. DOES shall provide age appropriate program placements as well as provide additional support for applicants and participants with disabilities.

Date introduced: 12/05/17                             Status: Expired

Supporters: Nadeau, R. White, Cheh, T. White, Grosso, Evans, Gray, Bonds, Allen, Mendelson, McDuffie

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B22-0617


B22-0572 - Wage Garnishment Fairness Amendment Act of 2017

This law establishes limits on the amount that can be garnished from an individual's wages by factoring in gross wages and disposable wages. It prevents wage garnishment from individuals making less than a living wage and requires notice be provided to those whose wages will be garnished.

Date introduced: 11/07/17                             Status: Official Law

Vote: 13-0 in favor

Supporters: Evans, T. White, Grosso, Nadeau, Bonds

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B22-0572


B22-0542 - Public Employee Relations Board Term Limit Emergency Amendment Act of 2017

As introduced, this bill permits a member of the Public Employee Relations Board to serve 3 consecutive terms. Currently, a member may only serve up to two consecutive terms

Date introduced: 11/1/17                             Status: Enacted

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B22-0542


B22-0543 - Public Employee Relations Board Term Limit Temporary Amendment Act of 2017

As introduced, this bill permits a member of the Public Employee Relations Board to serve 3 consecutive terms. Currently, a member may only serve up to two consecutive terms

Date introduced: 11/1/17                             Status: Official Law

Vote: 13-0 in favor

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B22-0543


PR22-0589 - Public Employee Relations Board Term Limit Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2017

As introduced, this resolution permits a member of the Public Employee Relations Board to serve 3 consecutive terms. Currently, a member may only serve up to two consecutive terms

Date introduced: 11/01/17                             Status: Approved

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/PR22-0589


B22-0553 - Public Employee Relations Board Term Limit Amendment Act of 2017

As introduced, this bill permits a member of the Public Employee Relations Board to serve 3 consecutive terms. Currently, a member may only serve up to two consecutive terms

Date introduced: 10/31/17                             Status: Official Law

Vote: 13-0 in favor

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B22-0553


B22-0506 - Living Wage Certification Program Amendment Act of 2017

As introduced, this bill creates a voluntary living wage certification program within the Department of Small and Local Business Development for District employers that pay its employees a living wage. Approved employers will be given access to digital and physical copies of a unique certifying logo created by the Department.

Date introduced: 10/03/17                             Status: Expired

Supporters: Cheh, R. White, Bonds, Gray, Allen, Nadeau, Grosso

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B22-0506


B22-0401 - Workforce Development System Transparency Act of 2017

Law 22-95 requires the Workforce Investment Council to develop and update annually a Workforce Development System Expenditure Guide outlining the District's government spending on workforce development and adult education across agencies.

Date introduced: 07/11/17                             Status: Official Law

Vote: 13-0 in favor

Supporters: McDuffie, T. White, R. White, Cheh, Mendelson, Bonds, Evans, Gray, Grosso, Nadeau, Allen

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B22-0401


B21-0566 - Living Wages for Publicly Supported Jobs Amendment Act of 2016

As introduced, this bill establishes that businesses receiving government assistance, government contracts, and certain tax benefits shall pay their affiliated employees no less than the living wage during the term of the contract or during the calendar year when the government assistance is received. The term "Affiliated employees" also includes certain subcontractor recipients of contracts and subcontractor recipients of government assistance.

Date introduced: 01/05/16                             Status: Expired

Supporters: Nadeau, May, Allen, Cheh, McDuffie

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B21-0566


B21-0415 - Universal Paid Leave Act of 2015

Law 21-264 establishes a paid leave system for all District residents and for workers who are employed in the District of Columbia. It allows for up to 8 weeks of paid family and medical leave and exempts federal government employees. A qualifying individual is one who becomes unable to perform their job functions because of a serious health condition, or an individual who is caring for a family member with a serious health condition, or other requirements as defined by the bill. It establishes the Family and Medical Leave Fund which includes funding from covered employers, the District government, eligible individuals, and interest earned on the money from the fund. Claims are filed with the District Government and the District must notify the employer within 3 business days of a claim being filed. By December 30, 2017 and quarterly thereafter, the Mayor shall submit to the Council a document that explains in detail the requirements needed in order to develop all software necessary to administer the paid-leave system pursuant to this act. By July 1, 2020, the Mayor shall commence the payment of paid-leave benefits provided for in this act.

Date introduced: 10/06/15                             Status: Official Law

Supporters: Grosso, Nadeau, McDuffie, Allen, May, and Cheh

Vote: 9-4                             "No" votes: Alexander, Todd, May, Evans

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B21-0415


B21-0370 - Unemployment Benefits Modernization Amendment Act of 2015

As introduced this bill Increases the maximum weekly benefit amount from $359 to $430 commencing on the effective date of the legislation. It standardizes the number of weeks of unemployment benefits that claimants can receive and reduces the amount that benefits are reduced, when claimants obtain limited part time work.

Incorporated into Bill 21-669 "Fiscal Year 2017 Budget Support Act of 2016" Title II, Subtitle L.

Date introduced: 09/22/15                             Status: Expired

Supporters: Bonds, May, Todd, McDuffie, Allen, Cheh, Nadeau, Mendelson, Grosso, Orange

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B21-0370


B21-0120 - Wage Theft Prevention Clarification and Overtime Fairness Amendment Act of 2015

Law 21-266 requires all bona fide administrative, executive, and professional employees as defined in 7 D.C.M.R. 999.1 be paid at least once a month and exempts employers from being required to pay them twice a month. The legislation, among other things, clarifies that the Attorney General and certain membership organizations can bring civil enforcement actions in court. It revises criminal penalties for noncompliance. It removes the exemption of parking lot and garage attendants from District overtime laws. Among other things, it also requires employers, including temporary staffing agencies, to provide notice regarding payment to an employee in a second language if certain conditions are met. It clarifies the remedies and procedures available to those who claim employers are noncompliant with this legislation.

Date introduced: 03/03/15                             Status: Official Law

Vote: 13-0 in favor

Supporters: Nadeau, Allen, Bonds, Mendelson

Full text: https://lims.dccouncil.us/Legislation/B21-0120