HR 5129 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To restore, reaffirm, and reconcile legal rights and remedies under civil rights statutes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

January 23, 2008

Mr. LEWIS of Georgia (for himself, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. ANDREWS, Ms. NORTON, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. WEXLER, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. LEE, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. FARR, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. BERMAN, Ms. SOLIS, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Mr. WYNN, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. COHEN, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mrs. MALONEY of New York, Mr. KUCINICH, Ms. SUTTON, and Mr. CROWLEY) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Labor and Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To restore, reaffirm, and reconcile legal rights and remedies under civil rights statutes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Civil Rights Act of 2008'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 2. Table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

Subtitle A--Private Rights of Action and the Disparate Impact Standard of Proof

Sec. 101. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Prohibited discrimination.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Rights of action.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 104. Right of recovery.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 105. Construction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 106. Effective date.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Harassment

Sec. 111. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 112. Right of recovery.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 113. Construction.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 114. Effective date.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--EMPLOYER ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DISCRIMINATION BASED ON MILITARY SERVICE

Sec. 201. Amendment to the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--EMPLOYER ACCOUNTABILITY FOR AGE DISCRIMINATION

Sec. 301. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 302. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 303. Purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 304. Remedies for State employees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 305. Disparate impact claims.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 306. Effective date.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--IMPROVED ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OTHER VIOLATIONS OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND WORKERS' RIGHTS

Subtitle A--Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 Amendment

Sec. 401. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 402. Civil action.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Prevailing Party

Sec. 411. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 412. Definition of prevailing party.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle C--Arbitration

Sec. 421. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 422. Amendment to Federal Arbitration Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 423. Unenforceability of arbitration clauses in employment contracts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 424. Application of amendments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle D--Expert Witness Fees

Sec. 431. Purpose.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 432. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 433. Effective provisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle E--Equal Remedies Act of 2008

Sec. 441. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 442. Equalization of remedies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle F--Prohibitions Against Sex Discrimination

Sec. 451. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 452. Enhanced enforcement of equal pay requirements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle G--Protections for Workers

Chapter 1--Protection for Undocumented Workers

Sec. 461. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 462. Continued application of backpay remedies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Chapter 2--Fair Labor Standards Act Amendments

Sec. 466. Short title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 467. Findings.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 468. Purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 469. Remedies for State employees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--NONDISCRIMINATION IN FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES

Subtitle A--Private Rights of Action and the Disparate Impact Standard of Proof

SEC. 101. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) This subtitle is made necessary by a decision of the Supreme Court in Alexander v. Sandoval, 532 U.S. 275 (2001) that significantly impairs statutory protections against discrimination that Congress has erected over a period of almost 4 decades. The Sandoval decision undermines these statutory protections by stripping victims of discrimination (defined under regulations that Congress required Federal departments and agencies to promulgate to implement title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.)) of the right to bring action in Federal court to redress the discrimination.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The Sandoval decision contradicts settled expectations created by title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (also known as the `Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act') (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.), and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) (collectively referred to in this Act as the `covered civil rights provisions'). The covered civil rights provisions were designed to establish and make effective the rights of persons to be free from discrimination on the part of entities that are subject to 1 or more of the covered civil rights provisions, as appropriate (referred to in this Act as `covered entities'). In 1964 Congress adopted title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to ensure that Federal dollars would not be used to subsidize or support programs or activities that discriminated on racial, color, or national origin grounds. In the years that followed, Congress extended these protections by enacting laws barring discrimination in federally funded education activities on the basis of sex in title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and discrimination in federally funded activities on the basis of age in the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and disability in section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) All of the statutes cited in this section were designed to confer a benefit on persons subject to discrimination. As Congress has consistently recognized, effective enforcement of the statutes and protection of the rights guaranteed under the statutes depend heavily on the efforts of private attorneys general. Congress acknowledged that it could not secure compliance solely through administrative efforts and enforcement actions initiated by the Attorney General. Newman v. Piggie Park Enterprises, 390 U.S. 400 (1968) (per curiam).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The Supreme Court has made it clear that individuals suffering discrimination under these statutes have a private right of action in the Federal courts, and that this is necessary for effective protection of the law, although Congress did not make such a right of action explicit in the statute involved. Cannon v. University of Chicago, 441 U.S. 677 (1979).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) Furthermore, for effective enforcement of the statutes cited in this section, it is necessary that the private right of action include a means to challenge all forms of discrimination that are prohibited by the statutes, including practices that have a disparate impact and are not justified as necessary to achieve the legitimate goals of programs or activities supported by Federal financial assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) By reinstating a private right of action to challenge disparate impact discrimination under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) and confirming that right for other civil rights statutes, Congress is not acting in a manner that would expose covered entities to unfair findings of discrimination. The legal standard for a disparate impact claim has never been structured so that a finding of discrimination could be based on numerical imbalance alone.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) In contrast, a failure to reinstate or confirm a private right of action would leave vindication of the rights to equality of opportunity solely to Federal agencies. Action by Congress to specify a private right of action is necessary to ensure that persons will have a remedy if they are denied equal access to education, housing, health, environmental protection, transportation, and many other programs and services by practices of covered entities that result in discrimination.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) As a result of the Supreme Court's decision in Sandoval, courts have dismissed numerous claims brought under the regulations promulgated pursuant to title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) that challenged actions with an unjustified discriminatory effect. Although the Sandoval Court did not address title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), lower courts have similarly dismissed claims under such title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) has received different treatment by the Supreme Court. In Alexander v. Choate, 469 U.S. 287 (1985), the Court proceeded on the assumption that the statute itself prohibited some actions that had a disparate impact on handicapped individuals--an assumption borne out by congressional statements made during passage of the Act. In Sandoval, the Court appeared to accept this principle of Alexander. Moreover, the Supreme Court explicitly recognized congressional approval of the regulations promulgated to implement section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 in Consolidated Rail Corp. v. Darrone, 465 U.S. 624, 634 (1984). Relying on the validity of the regulations, Congress incorporated the regulations into the statutory requirements of section 204 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12134). Thus it does not appear at this time that there is a risk that the private right of action to challenge disparate impact discrimination under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 will become unavailable.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) The right to maintain a private right of action under a provision added to a statute under this subtitle will be effectuated by a waiver of sovereign immunity in the same manner as sovereign immunity is waived under the remaining provisions of that statute.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. PROHIBITED DISCRIMINATION.

(a) Civil Rights Act of 1964- Section 601 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `No' and inserting `(a) No'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b)(1)(A) Discrimination (including exclusion from participation and denial of benefits) based on disparate impact is established under this title only if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) a person aggrieved by discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin (referred to in this title as an `aggrieved person') demonstrates that an entity subject to this title (referred to in this title as a `covered entity') has a policy or practice that causes a disparate impact on the basis of race, color, or national origin and the covered entity fails to demonstrate that the challenged policy or practice is related to and necessary to achieve the nondiscriminatory goals of the program or activity alleged to have been operated in a discriminatory manner; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the aggrieved person demonstrates (consistent with the demonstration required under title VII with respect to an `alternative employment practice') that a less discriminatory alternative policy or practice exists, and the covered entity refuses to adopt such alternative policy or practice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B)(i) With respect to demonstrating that a particular policy or practice causes a disparate impact as described in subparagraph (A)(i), the aggrieved person shall demonstrate that each particular challenged policy or practice causes a disparate impact, except that if the aggrieved person demonstrates to the court that the elements of a covered entity's decisionmaking process are not capable of separation for analysis, the decisionmaking process may be analyzed as 1 policy or practice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) If the covered entity demonstrates that a specific policy or practice does not cause the disparate impact, the covered entity shall not be required to demonstrate that such policy or practice is necessary to achieve the goals of its program or activity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) A demonstration that a policy or practice is necessary to achieve the goals of a program or activity may not be used as a defense against a claim of intentional discrimination under this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) In this subsection, the term `demonstrates' means meets the burdens of production and persuasion.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Education Amendments of 1972- Section 901 of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (e); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c)(1)(A) Subject to the conditions described in paragraphs (1) through (9) of subsection (a), discrimination (including exclusion from participation and denial of benefits) based on disparate impact is established under this title only if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) a person aggrieved by discrimination on the basis of sex (referred to in this title as an `aggrieved person') demonstrates that an entity subject to this title (referred to in this title as a `covered entity') has a policy or practice that causes a disparate impact on the basis of sex and the covered entity fails to demonstrate that the challenged policy or practice is related to and necessary to achieve the nondiscriminatory goals of the program or activity alleged to have been operated in a discriminatory manner; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the aggrieved person demonstrates (consistent with the demonstration required under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.) with respect to an `alternative employment practice') that a less discriminatory alternative policy or practice exists, and the covered entity refuses to adopt such alternative policy or practice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B)(i) With respect to demonstrating that a particular policy or practice causes a disparate impact as described in subparagraph (A)(i), the aggrieved person shall demonstrate that each particular challenged policy or practice causes a disparate impact, except that if the aggrieved person demonstrates to the court that the elements of a covered entity's decisionmaking process are not capable of separation for analysis, the decisionmaking process may be analyzed as 1 policy or practice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) If the covered entity demonstrates that a specific policy or practice does not cause the disparate impact, the covered entity shall not be required to demonstrate that such policy or practice is necessary to achieve the goals of its program or activity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) A demonstration that a policy or practice is necessary to achieve the goals of a program or activity may not be used as a defense against a claim of intentional discrimination under this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) In this subsection, the term `demonstrates' means meets the burdens of production and persuasion.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Age Discrimination Act of 1975- Section 303 of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6102) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `Pursuant' and inserting `(a) Pursuant'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b)(1)(A) Subject to the conditions described in subsections (b) and (c) of section 304, discrimination (including exclusion from participation and denial of benefits) based on disparate impact is established under this title only if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) a person aggrieved by discrimination on the basis of age (referred to in this title as an `aggrieved person') demonstrates that an entity subject to this title (referred to in this title as a `covered entity') has a policy or practice that causes a disparate impact on the basis of age and the covered entity fails to demonstrate that the challenged policy or practice is related to and necessary to achieve the nondiscriminatory goals of the program or activity alleged to have been operated in a discriminatory manner; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the aggrieved person demonstrates (consistent with the demonstration required under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.) with respect to an `alternative employment practice') that a less discriminatory alternative policy or practice exists, and the covered entity refuses to adopt such alternative policy or practice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B)(i) With respect to demonstrating that a particular policy or practice causes a disparate impact as described in subparagraph (A)(i), the aggrieved person shall demonstrate that each particular challenged policy or practice causes a disparate impact, except that if the aggrieved person demonstrates to the court that the elements of a covered entity's decisionmaking process are not capable of separation for analysis, the decisionmaking process may be analyzed as 1 policy or practice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) If the covered entity demonstrates that a specific policy or practice does not cause the disparate impact, the covered entity shall not be required to demonstrate that such policy or practice is necessary to achieve the goals of its program or activity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) A demonstration that a policy or practice is necessary to achieve the goals of a program or activity may not be used as a defense against a claim of intentional discrimination under this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) In this subsection, the term `demonstrates' means meets the burdens of production and persuasion.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 103. RIGHTS OF ACTION.

(a) Civil Rights Act of 1964- Section 602 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by inserting `(a)' before `Each Federal department and agency which is empowered'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Any person aggrieved by the failure of a covered entity to comply with this title, including any regulation promulgated pursuant to this title, may bring a civil action in any Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction to enforce such person's rights.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Education Amendments of 1972- Section 902 of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1682) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by inserting `(a)' before `Each Federal department and agency which is empowered'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Any person aggrieved by the failure of a covered entity to comply with this title, including any regulation promulgated pursuant to this title, may bring a civil action in any Federal or State court of competent jurisdiction to enforce such person's rights.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Age Discrimination Act of 1975- Section 305(e) of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6104(e)) is amended in the first sentence of paragraph (1), by striking `this Act' and inserting `this title, including a regulation promulgated to carry out this title,'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 104. RIGHT OF RECOVERY.

(a) Civil Rights Act of 1964- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 602 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`SEC. 602A. ACTIONS BROUGHT BY AGGRIEVED PERSONS.

`(a) Claims Based on Proof of Intentional Discrimination- In an action brought by an aggrieved person under this title against a covered entity who has engaged in unlawful intentional discrimination (not a practice that is unlawful because of its disparate impact) prohibited under this title (including its implementing regulations), the aggrieved person may recover equitable and legal relief (including compensatory and punitive damages), attorney's fees (including expert fees), and costs, except that punitive damages are not available against a government, government agency, or political subdivision.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Claims Based on the Disparate Impact Standard of Proof- In an action brought by an aggrieved person under this title against a covered entity who has engaged in unlawful discrimination based on disparate impact prohibited under this title (including its implementing regulations), the aggrieved person may recover equitable relief, attorney's fees (including expert fees), and costs.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Education Amendments of 1972- Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 902 the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`SEC. 902A. ACTIONS BROUGHT BY AGGRIEVED PERSONS.

`(a) Claims Based on Proof of Intentional Discrimination- In an action brought by an aggrieved person under this title against a covered entity who has engaged in unlawful intentional discrimination (not a practice that is unlawful because of its disparate impact) prohibited under this title (including its implementing regulations), the aggrieved person may recover equitable and legal relief (including compensatory and punitive damages), attorney's fees (including expert fees), and costs, except that punitive damages are not available against a government, government agency, or political subdivision.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Claims Based on the Disparate Impact Standard of Proof- In an action brought by an aggrieved person under this title against a covered entity who has engaged in unlawful discrimination based on disparate impact prohibited under this title (including its implementing regulations), the aggrieved person may recover equitable relief, attorney's fees (including expert fees), and costs.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Age Discrimination Act of 1975-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Section 305 of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6104) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(g)(1) In an action brought by an aggrieved person under this title against a covered entity who has engaged in unlawful intentional discrimination (not a practice that is unlawful because of its disparate impact) prohibited under this title (including its implementing regulations), the aggrieved person may recover equitable and legal relief (including compensatory and punitive damages), attorney's fees (including expert fees), and costs, except that punitive damages are not available against a government, government agency, or political subdivision.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) In an action brought by an aggrieved person under this title against a covered entity who has engaged in unlawful discrimination based on disparate impact prohibited under this title (including its implementing regulations), the aggrieved person may recover equitable relief, attorney's fees (including expert fees), and costs.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONFORMITY OF ADA WITH TITLE vi AND TITLE ix-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) ELIMINATING WAIVER OF RIGHT TO FEES IF NOT REQUESTED IN COMPLAINT- Section 305(e)(1) of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6104(e)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking `to enjoin a violation' and inserting `to redress a violation'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking the second sentence and inserting the following: `The Court shall award the costs of suit, including a reasonable attorney's fee (including expert fees), to the prevailing plaintiff.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) ELIMINATING UNNECESSARY MANDATES: TO EXHAUST ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES; AND TO DELAY SUIT LONGER THAN 180 DAYS TO OBTAIN AGENCY REVIEW- Section 305(f) of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6104(f)) is amended by striking `With respect to actions brought for relief based on an alleged violation of the provisions of this title,' and inserting `Actions brought for relief based on an alleged violation of the provisions of this title may be initiated in a court of competent jurisdiction, pursuant to section 305(e), or before the relevant Federal department or agency. With respect to such actions brought initially before the relevant Federal department or agency,'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) ELIMINATING DUPLICATIVE `REASONABLENESS' REQUIREMENT; CLARIFYING THAT `REASONABLE FACTORS OTHER THAN AGE' IS DEFENSE TO A DISPARATE IMPACT CLAIM, NOT AN EXCEPTION TO ADA COVERAGE- Section 304(b)(1) of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6103(b)(1)) is amended by striking `involved--' and all that follows through the period and inserting `involved such action reasonably takes into account age as a factor necessary to the normal operation or the achievement of any statutory objective of such program or activity.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Rehabilitation Act of 1973- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e)(1) In an action brought by a person aggrieved by discrimination on the basis of disability (referred to in this section as an `aggrieved person') under this section against an entity subject to this section (referred to in this section as a `covered entity') who has engaged in unlawful intentional discrimination (not a practice that is unlawful because of its disparate impact) prohibited under this section (including its implementing regulations), the aggrieved person may recover equitable and legal relief (including compensatory and punitive damages), attorney's fees (including expert fees), and costs, except that punitive damages are not available against a government, government agency, or political subdivision.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) In an action brought by an aggrieved person under this section against a covered entity who has engaged in unlawful discrimination based on disparate impact prohibited under this section (including its implementing regulations), the aggrieved person may recover equitable relief, attorney's fees (including expert fees), and costs.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 105. CONSTRUCTION.

(a) Relief- Nothing in this subtitle, including any amendment made by this subtitle, shall be construed to limit the scope of, or the relief available under, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), or any other provision of law.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Defendants- Nothing in this subtitle, including any amendment made by this subtitle, shall be construed to limit the scope of the class of persons who may be subjected to civil actions under the covered civil rights provisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 106. EFFECTIVE DATE.

(a) In General- This subtitle, and the amendments made by this subtitle, take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Application- This subtitle, and the amendments made by this subtitle, apply to all actions or proceedings pending on or after the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Harassment

SEC. 111. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) As the Supreme Court has held, covered entities are liable for harassment on the basis of sex under their education programs and activities under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) (referred to in this subtitle as `title IX'). Franklin v. Gwinnett County Public Schools, 503 U.S. 60, 75 (1992) (damages remedy available for harassment of student by a teacher coach); Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education, 526 U.S. 629, 633 (1999) (authorizing damages action against school board for student-on-student sexual harassment).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Courts have confirmed that covered entities are liable for harassment on the basis of race, color, or national origin under title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.) (referred to in this subtitle as `title VI'), e.g., Bryant v. Independent School District No. I-38, 334 F.3d 928 (10th Cir. 2003) (liability for student-on-student racial harassment). Moreover, judicial interpretation of the similarly worded Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) has tracked that of title VI and title IX.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) As these courts have properly recognized, harassment on a prohibited basis under a program or activity, whether perpetrated by employees or agents of the program or activity, by peers of the victim, or by others who conduct harassment under the program or activity, is a form of unlawful and intentional discrimination that inflicts substantial harm on beneficiaries of the program or activity and violates the obligation of a covered entity to maintain a nondiscriminatory environment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) In a 5 to 4 ruling, the Supreme Court held that students subjected to sexual harassment may receive a damages remedy under title IX only when school officials have `actual notice' of the harassment and are `deliberately indifferent' to it. Gebser v. Lago Vista Independent School District, 524 U.S. 274 (1998). See also Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education, 526 U.S. 629 (1999).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The standard delineated in Gebser and followed in Davis has been applied by lower courts regarding the liability of covered entities for damages for harassment based on race, color, or national origin under title VI. E.g., Bryant v. Independent School District No. I-38, 334 F.3d 928 (10th Cir. 2003). Because of the similarities in the wording and interpretation of the underlying statutes, this standard may be applied to claims for damages brought under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794) as well.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Although they do not affect the relevant standards for individuals to obtain injunctive and equitable relief for harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability under covered programs and activities, Gebser and its progeny severely limit the availability of remedies for such individuals by imposing new, more stringent standards for recovery of damages under title VI and title IX, and potentially under the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Yet in many cases, damages are the only remedy that would effectively rectify past harassment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) As recognized by the dissenters in Gebser, these limitations on effective relief thwart Congress's underlying purpose to protect students from harassment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) The rulings in Gebser and its progeny create an incentive for covered entities to insulate themselves from knowledge of harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability rather than adopting and enforcing practices that will minimize the danger of such harassment. The rulings thus undermine the purpose of prohibitions on discrimination in the civil rights laws: `to induce [covered programs or activities] to adopt and enforce practices that will minimize the danger that vulnerable students [or other beneficiaries] will be exposed to such odious behavior'. Gebser, 524 U.S. at 300 (Stevens, J., dissenting).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(9)(A) Legislative action is necessary and appropriate to reverse Gebser and its progeny and restore the availability of a full range of remedies for harassment based on race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) Restoring the availability of a full range of remedies for harassment will--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) ensure that students and other beneficiaries of federally funded programs and activities have protection from harassment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability that is comparable in strength and effectiveness to that available to employees under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 621 et seq.), and title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12111 et seq.);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) encourage covered entities to adopt and enforce meaningful policies and procedures to prevent and remedy harassment;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) deter incidents of harassment; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) provide appropriate remedies for discrimination.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(10) Congress has the same affirmative powers to enact legislation restoring the availability of a full range of remedies for harassment as it did to enact the underlying statutory prohibitions on harassment, including powers under section 5 of the 14th amendment and section 8 of article I of the Constitution.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(11) The right to maintain a private right of action under a provision added to a statute under this subtitle will be effectuated by a waiver of sovereign immunity in the same manner as sovereign immunity is waived under the remaining provisions of that statute.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 112. RIGHT OF RECOVERY.

(a) Civil Rights Act of 1964- Section 602A of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as added by section 104, is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Claims Based on Harassment-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) RIGHT OF RECOVERY- In an action brought against a covered entity by (including on behalf of) an aggrieved person who has been subjected to unlawful harassment under a program or activity, the aggrieved person may recover equitable and legal relief (including compensatory and punitive damages subject to the provisions of paragraph (2)), attorney's fees (including expert fees), and costs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) AVAILABILITY OF DAMAGES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) TANGIBLE ACTION BY AGENT OR EMPLOYEE- If an agent or employee of a covered entity engages in unlawful harassment under a program or activity that results in a tangible action to the aggrieved person, damages shall be available against the covered entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) NO TANGIBLE ACTION BY AGENT OR EMPLOYEE- If an agent or employee of a covered entity engages in unlawful harassment under a program or activity that results in no tangible action to the aggrieved person, no damages shall be available against the covered entity if it can demonstrate that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) it exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassment based on race, color, or national origin; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the aggrieved person unreasonably failed to take advantage of preventive or corrective opportunities offered by the covered entity that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) would likely have provided redress and avoided the harm described by the aggrieved person; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) would not have exposed the aggrieved person to undue risk, effort, or expense.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) HARASSMENT BY THIRD PARTY- If a person who is not an agent or employee of a covered entity subjects an aggrieved person to unlawful harassment under a program or activity, and the covered entity involved knew or should have known of the harassment, no damages shall be available against the covered entity if it can demonstrate that it exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassment based on race, color, or national origin.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) DEMONSTRATION- For purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C), a showing that the covered entity has exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassment based on race, color, or national origin includes a demonstration by the covered entity that it has--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) established, adequately publicized, and enforced an effective, comprehensive, harassment prevention policy and complaint procedure that is likely to provide redress and avoid harm without exposing the person subjected to the harassment to undue risk, effort, or expense;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) undertaken prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations pursuant to its complaint procedure; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) taken immediate and appropriate corrective action designed to stop harassment that has occurred, correct its effects on the aggrieved person, and ensure that the harassment does not recur.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) PUNITIVE DAMAGES- Punitive damages shall not be available under this subsection against a government, government agency, or political subdivision.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) DEFINITIONS- As used in this subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) DEMONSTRATES- The term `demonstrates' means meets the burdens of production and persuasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) TANGIBLE ACTION- The term `tangible action' means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) a significant adverse change in an individual's status caused by an agent or employee of a covered entity with regard to the individual's participation in, access to, or enjoyment of, the benefits of a program or activity; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) an explicit or implicit condition by an agent or employee of a covered entity on an individual's participation in, access to, or enjoyment of, the benefits of a program or activity based on the individual's submission to the harassment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT- The term `unlawful harassment' means harassment that is unlawful under this title.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Education Amendments of 1972- Section 902A of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as added by section 104, is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Claims Based on Harassment-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) RIGHT OF RECOVERY- In an action brought against a covered entity by (including on behalf of) an aggrieved person who has been subjected to unlawful harassment under a program or activity, the aggrieved person may recover equitable and legal relief (including compensatory and punitive damages subject to the provisions of paragraph (2)), attorney's fees (including expert fees), and costs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) AVAILABILITY OF DAMAGES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) TANGIBLE ACTION BY AGENT OR EMPLOYEE- If an agent or employee of a covered entity engages in unlawful harassment under a program or activity that results in a tangible action to the aggrieved person, damages shall be available against the covered entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) NO TANGIBLE ACTION BY AGENT OR EMPLOYEE- If an agent or employee of a covered entity engages in unlawful harassment under a program or activity that results in no tangible action to the aggrieved person, no damages shall be available against the covered entity if it can demonstrate that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) it exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassment based on sex; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) the aggrieved person unreasonably failed to take advantage of preventive or corrective opportunities offered by the covered entity that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) would likely have provided redress and avoided the harm described by the aggrieved person; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) would not have exposed the aggrieved person to undue risk, effort, or expense.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) HARASSMENT BY THIRD PARTY- If a person who is not an agent or employee of a covered entity subjects an aggrieved person to unlawful harassment under a program or activity, and the covered entity knew or should have known of the harassment, no damages shall be available against the covered entity if it can demonstrate that it exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassment based on sex.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) DEMONSTRATION- For purposes of subparagraphs (B) and (C), a showing that the covered entity has exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassment based on sex includes a demonstration by the covered entity that it has--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) established, adequately publicized, and enforced an effective, comprehensive, harassment prevention policy and complaint procedure that is likely to provide redress and avoid harm without exposing the person subjected to the harassment to undue risk, effort, or expense;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) undertaken prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations pursuant to its complaint procedure; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) taken immediate and appropriate corrective action designed to stop harassment that has occurred, correct its effects on the aggrieved person, and ensure that the harassment does not recur.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) PUNITIVE DAMAGES- Punitive damages shall not be available under this subsection against a government, government agency, or political subdivision.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) DEFINITIONS- As used in this subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) DEMONSTRATES- The term `demonstrates' means meets the burdens of production and persuasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) TANGIBLE ACTION- The term `tangible action' means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) a significant adverse change in an individual's status caused by an agent or employee of a covered entity with regard to the individual's participation in, access to, or enjoyment of, the benefits of a program or activity; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) an explicit or implicit condition by an agent or employee of a covered entity on an individual's participation in, access to, or enjoyment of, the benefits of a program or activity based on the individual's submission to the harassment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT- The term `unlawful harassment' means harassment that is unlawful under this title.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Age Discrimination Act of 1975- Section 305(g) of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as added by section 104, is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3)(A) If an action brought against a covered entity by (including on behalf of) an aggrieved person who has been subjected to unlawful harassment under a program or activity, the aggrieved person may recover equitable and legal relief (including compensatory and punitive damages subject to the provisions of subparagraph (B)), attorney's fees (including expert fees), and costs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B)(i) If an agent or employee of a covered entity engages in unlawful harassment under a program or activity that results in a tangible action to the aggrieved person, damages shall be available against the covered entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) If an agent or employee of a covered entity engages in unlawful harassment under a program or activity that results in no tangible action to the aggrieved person, no damages shall be available against the covered entity if it can demonstrate that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) it exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassment based on age; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) the aggrieved person unreasonably failed to take advantage of preventive or corrective opportunities offered by the covered entity that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(aa) would likely have provided redress and avoided the harm described by the aggrieved person; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(bb) would not have exposed the aggrieved person to undue risk, effort, or expense.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) If a person who is not an agent or employee of a covered entity subjects an aggrieved person to unlawful harassment under a program or activity, and the covered entity knew or should have known of the harassment, no damages shall be available against the covered entity if it can demonstrate that it exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassment based on age.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) For purposes of clauses (ii) and (iii), a showing that the covered entity has exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassment based on age includes a demonstration by the covered entity that it has--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) established, adequately publicized, and enforced an effective, comprehensive, harassment prevention policy and complaint procedure that is likely to provide redress and avoid harm without exposing the person subjected to the harassment to undue risk, effort, or expense;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) undertaken prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations pursuant to its complaint procedure; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(III) taken immediate and appropriate corrective action designed to stop harassment that has occurred, correct its effects on the aggrieved person, and ensure that the harassment does not recur.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(v) Punitive damages shall not be available under this paragraph against a government, government agency, or political subdivision.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) As used in this paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) The term `demonstrates' means meets the burdens of production and persuasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) The term `tangible action' means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) a significant adverse change in an individual's status caused by an agent or employee of a covered entity with regard to the individual's participation in, access to, or enjoyment of, the benefits of a program or activity; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) an explicit or implicit condition by an agent or employee of a covered entity on an individual's participation in, access to, or enjoyment of, the benefits of a program or activity based on the individual's submission to the harassment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) The term `unlawful harassment' means harassment that is unlawful under this title.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Rehabilitation Act of 1973- Section 504(e) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as added by section 104, is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3)(A) In an action brought against a covered entity by (including on behalf of) an aggrieved person who has been subjected to unlawful harassment under a program or activity, the aggrieved person may recover equitable and legal relief (including compensatory and punitive damages subject to the provisions of subparagraph (B)), attorney's fees (including expert fees), and costs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B)(i) If an agent or employee of a covered entity engages in unlawful harassment under a program or activity that results in a tangible action to the aggrieved person, damages shall be available against the covered entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) If an agent or employee of a covered entity engages in unlawful harassment under a program or activity that results in no tangible action to the aggrieved person, no damages shall be available against the covered entity if it can demonstrate that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) it exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassment based on disability; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) the aggrieved person unreasonably failed to take advantage of preventive or corrective opportunities offered by the covered entity that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(aa) would likely have provided redress and avoided the harm described by the aggrieved person; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(bb) would not have exposed the aggrieved person to undue risk, effort, or expense.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) If a person who is not an agent or employee of a covered entity subjects an aggrieved person to unlawful harassment under a program or activity, and the covered entity knew or should have known of the harassment, no damages shall be available against the covered entity if it can demonstrate that it exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassment based on disability.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iv) For purposes of clauses (ii) and (iii), a showing that the covered entity has exercised reasonable care to prevent and correct promptly any harassment based on disability includes a demonstration by the covered entity that it has--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) established, adequately publicized, and enforced an effective, comprehensive, harassment prevention policy and complaint procedure that is likely to provide redress and avoid harm without exposing the person subjected to the harassment to undue risk, effort, or expense;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) undertaken prompt, thorough, and impartial investigations pursuant to its complaint procedure; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(III) taken immediate and appropriate corrective action designed to stop harassment that has occurred, correct its effects on the aggrieved person, and ensure that the harassment does not recur.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(v) Punitive damages shall not be available under this paragraph against a government, government agency, or political subdivision.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) As used in this paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) The term `demonstrates' means meets the burdens of production and persuasion.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) The term `tangible action' means--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) a significant adverse change in an individual's status caused by an agent or employee of a covered entity with regard to the individual's participation in, access to, or enjoyment of, the benefits of a program or activity; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) an explicit or implicit condition by an agent or employee of a covered entity on an individual's participation in, access to, or enjoyment of, the benefits of a program or activity based on the individual's submission to the harassment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(iii) The term `unlawful harassment' means harassment that is unlawful under this section.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 113. CONSTRUCTION.

Nothing in this subtitle, including any amendment made by this subtitle, shall be construed to limit the scope of the class of persons who may be subjected to civil actions under the covered civil rights provisions.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 114. EFFECTIVE DATE.

(a) In General- This subtitle, and the amendments made by this subtitle, take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Application- This subtitle, and the amendments made by this subtitle, apply to all actions or proceedings pending on or after the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--EMPLOYER ACCOUNTABILITY FOR DISCRIMINATION BASED ON MILITARY SERVICE

SEC. 201. AMENDMENT TO THE UNIFORMED SERVICES EMPLOYMENT AND REEMPLOYMENT RIGHTS ACT OF 1994.

(a) Findings- Congress makes the following findings:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The Federal Government has an important interest in attracting and training a military to provide for the National defense. The Constitution grants Congress the power to raise and support an army for purposes of the common defense. The Nation's military readiness requires that all members of the Armed Forces, including those employed in State programs and activities, be able to serve without jeopardizing their civilian employment opportunities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, commonly referred to as `USERRA' and codified as chapter 43 of title 38, United States Code, is intended to safeguard the reemployment rights of members of the uniformed services (as that term is defined in section 4303(16) of title 38, United States Code) and to prevent discrimination against any person who is a member of, applies to be a member of, performs, has performed, applies to perform, or has an obligation to perform service in a uniformed service. Effective enforcement of the Act depends on the ability of private individuals to enforce its provisions in court.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) In Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Florida, 517 U.S. 44 (1996), the Supreme Court held that congressional legislation, enacted pursuant to the portion of section 8 of article I of the Constitution relating to regulation of Commerce among the several States, cannot abrogate the immunity of States under the 11th amendment to the Constitution. Some courts have interpreted Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Florida as a basis for denying relief to persons affected by a State violation of USERRA. In addition, in Alden v. Maine 527 U.S. 706, 712 (1999), the Supreme Court held that this immunity also prohibits the Federal Government from subjecting `non-consenting states to private suits for damages in state courts.' As a result, although USERRA specifically provides that a person may commence an action for relief against a State for its violation of that Act, persons harmed by State violations of that Act lack important remedies to vindicate the rights and benefits that are available to all other persons covered by that Act. Unless a State chooses to waive sovereign immunity, or the Attorney General brings an action on their behalf, persons affected by State violations of USERRA may have no adequate Federal remedy for such violations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) A failure to provide a private right of action by persons affected by State violations of USERRA would leave vindication of their rights and benefits under that Act solely to Federal agencies, which may fail to take necessary and appropriate action because of administrative overburden or other reasons. Action by Congress to specify such a private right of action ensures that persons affected by State violations of USERRA have a remedy if they are denied their rights and benefits under that Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Clarification of Right of Action Under USERRA- Section 4323 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following new paragraph (2):CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) In the case of an action against a State (as an employer) by a person, the action may be brought in a district court of the United States or State court of competent jurisdiction.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting after subsection (i) the following new subsection (j):CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(j)(1)(A) A State's receipt or use of Federal financial assistance for any program or activity of a State shall constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity, under the 11th amendment to the Constitution or otherwise, to a suit brought by an employee of that program or activity under this chapter for the rights or benefits authorized the employee by this chapter.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) In this paragraph, the term `program or activity' has the meaning given the term in section 309 of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6107).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) An official of a State may be sued in the official capacity of the official by any person covered by paragraph (1) who seeks injunctive relief against a State (as an employer) under subsection (e). In such a suit the court may award to the prevailing party those costs authorized by section 722 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1988).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--EMPLOYER ACCOUNTABILITY FOR AGE DISCRIMINATION

SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

This title may be cited as the `Older Workers' Rights Restoration Act of 2008'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 302. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1)(A) Age discrimination in employment remains a serious problem both nationally and among State agencies, and has invidious effects on its victims, the labor force, and the economy as a whole.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) For example, age discrimination in employment--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) increases the risk of unemployment among older workers, who will as a result be more likely to be dependent on government resources;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) prevents the best use of available labor resources;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) adversely affects the morale and productivity of older workers; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iv) perpetuates unwarranted stereotypes about the abilities of older workers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) As a result, the Federal Government has an important interest in ensuring that Federal financial assistance is not used to subsidize or facilitate violations of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) (referred to in this section as the `ADEA').CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Private civil suits by the victims of employment discrimination have been a crucial tool for enforcement of the ADEA since the enactment of that Act. In Kimel v. Florida Board of Regents, 528 U.S. 62 (2000), however, the Supreme Court held that Congress had not abrogated State sovereign immunity to suits by individuals under the ADEA.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) As a result of the Kimel decision, although age-based discrimination by State employers remains unlawful, the victims of such discrimination lack important remedies for vindication of their rights that are available to all other employees covered under that Act, including employees in the private sector, local government, and the Federal Government. In the absence of the deterrent effect that such remedies provide, there is a greater likelihood that entities carrying out programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance will use that assistance to violate that Act, or that the assistance will otherwise subsidize or facilitate violations of that Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The Supreme Court has upheld Congress's authority to condition receipt of Federal financial assistance on acceptance by the States or other covered entities of conditions regarding or related to the use of that assistance, as in Cannon v. University of Chicago, 441 U.S. 677 (1979). The Court has further recognized that Congress may require a State, as a condition of receipt of Federal financial assistance, to waive the State's sovereign immunity to suits for a violation of Federal law, as in College Savings Bank v. Florida Prepaid Postsecondary Education Expense Board, 527 U.S. 666 (1999). In the wake of the Kimel decision, in order to assure compliance with, and to provide effective remedies for violations of, the ADEA in State programs or activities receiving or using Federal financial assistance, and in order to ensure that Federal financial assistance does not subsidize or facilitate violations of the ADEA, it is necessary to require such a waiver as a condition of receipt or use of that assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) A State's receipt or use of Federal financial assistance in any program or activity of a State will constitute a limited waiver of sovereign immunity under section 7(g) of the ADEA (as added by section 304). The waiver will not eliminate a State's immunity with respect to programs or activities that do not receive or use Federal financial assistance. The State will waive sovereign immunity only with respect to suits under the ADEA brought by employees within the programs or activities that receive or use that assistance. With regard to those programs and activities that are covered by the waiver, the State employees will be accorded only the same remedies that are accorded to other covered employees under the ADEA.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that State sovereign immunity does not bar suits for prospective injunctive relief brought against State officials, as in Ex parte Young (209 U.S. 123 (1908)). Clarification of the language of the ADEA will confirm that Act authorizes such suits. The injunctive relief available in such suits will continue to be no broader than the injunctive relief that was available under that Act before the Kimel decision, and that is available to all other employees under that Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) In 1991, Congress reaffirmed that title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 permits victims of employment bias to state a cause of action for disparate impact discrimination when it added a provision to title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to clarify the burden of proof in disparate impact cases in section 703(k) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e-2(k)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) In Smith v. City of Jackson, 544 U.S. 228 (2005), the Supreme Court held that the ADEA permits older workers to state a cause of action for disparate impact discrimination. The Smith Court incorrectly held, however, that the scope of disparate impact claims is narrower under the ADEA than under title VII. Congress did not intend the ADEA to be interpreted to provide older workers less protections against discrimination than those protected under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. As a result, it is necessary to clarify the burden of proof in a disparate impact case under the ADEA.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 303. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this title are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to provide to State employees in programs or activities that receive or use Federal financial assistance the same rights and remedies for practices violating the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) as are available to other employees under that Act, and that were available to State employees prior to the Supreme Court's decision in Kimel v. Florida Board of Regents, 528 U.S. 62 (2000);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to provide that the receipt or use of Federal financial assistance for a program or activity constitutes a State waiver of sovereign immunity from suits by employees within that program or activity for violations of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to affirm that suits for injunctive relief are available against State officials in their official capacities for violations of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) to clarify the disparate impact standard of proof in claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 304. REMEDIES FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

Section 7 of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 626) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(g)(1)(A) A State's receipt or use of Federal financial assistance for any program or activity of a State shall constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity, under the 11th amendment to the Constitution or otherwise, to a suit brought by an employee of that program or activity under this Act for equitable, legal, or other relief authorized under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) In this paragraph, the term `program or activity' has the meaning given the term in section 309 of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6107).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) An official of a State may be sued in the official capacity of the official by any employee who has complied with the procedures of subsections (d) and (e), for injunctive relief that is authorized under this Act. In such a suit the court may award to the prevailing party those costs authorized by section 722 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1988).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 305. DISPARATE IMPACT CLAIMS.

Section 4 of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 623) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(n)(1) Discrimination based on disparate impact is established under this Act only if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) an aggrieved party demonstrates that an employer, employment agency, or labor organization has a policy or practice that causes a disparate impact on the basis of age and the employer, employment agency, or labor organization fails to demonstrate that the challenged policy or practice is based on reasonable factors that are job-related and consistent with business necessity other than age; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) the aggrieved party demonstrates (consistent with the demonstration standard under title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.) with respect to an `alternative employment practice') that a less discriminatory alternative policy or practice exists, and the employer, employment agency, or labor organization refuses to adopt such alternative policy or practice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2)(A) With respect to demonstrating that a particular policy or practice causes a disparate impact as described in paragraph (1)(A), the aggrieved party shall demonstrate that each particular challenged policy or practice causes a disparate impact, except that if the aggrieved party demonstrates to the court that the elements of an employer, employment agency, or labor organization's decisionmaking process are not capable of separation for analysis, the decisionmaking process may be analyzed as one policy or practice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) If the employer, employment agency, or labor organization demonstrates that a specific policy or practice does not cause the disparate impact, the employer, employment agency, or labor organization shall not be required to demonstrate that such policy or practice is necessary to the operation of its business.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) A demonstration that a policy or practice is necessary to the operation of the employer, employment agency, or labor organization's business may not be used as a defense against a claim of intentional discrimination under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) In this subsection, the term `demonstrates' means meets the burdens of production and persuasion.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 306. EFFECTIVE DATE.

(a) Waiver of Sovereign Immunity- With respect to a particular program or activity, section 7(g)(1) of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 626(g)(1)) applies to conduct occurring on or after the day, after the date of enactment of this title, on which a State first receives or uses Federal financial assistance for that program or activity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Suits Against Officials- Section 7(g)(2) of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. 626(g)(2)) applies to any suit pending on or after the date of enactment of this title.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--IMPROVED ACCOUNTABILITY FOR OTHER VIOLATIONS OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND WORKERS' RIGHTS

Subtitle A--Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 Amendment

SEC. 401. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Relying on the Supreme Courts's decision in Alexander v. Sandoval, 532 U.S. 275 (2001), some courts have erroneously held that when Congress passed the Air Carrier Access Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-435; 100 Stat. 1080), adding a provision now codified at section 41705 of title 49, United States Code (referred to in this subtitle as the `ACAA'), Congress did not intend to create a private right of action with which individuals with disabilities could sue air carriers in Federal court for discrimination on the basis of disability. Love v. Delta Air Lines, 310 F. 3d 1347 (11th Cir. 2002)CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) The absence of a private right of action leaves enforcement of the ACAA solely in the hands of the Department of Transportation, which is overburdened and lacks the resources to investigate, prosecute violators for, and remediate all of the violations of the rights of travelers who are individuals with disabilities. Nor can the Department of Transportation bring an action that will redress the injury of an individual resulting from such a violation. The Department of Transportation can take action that fines an air carrier or requires the air carrier to obey the law in the future, but the Department is not authorized to issue orders that redress the injuries sustained by individual air passengers. Action by Congress is necessary to ensure that individuals with disabilities will have adequate remedies available when air carriers violate the ACAA (including its regulations), and only courts may provide this redress to individuals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) When an air carrier violates the ACAA and discriminates against an individual with a disability, frequently the only way to compensate that individual for the harm the individual has suffered is through an award of money damages.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Unlike other civil rights statutes, the ACAA does not contain a fee-shifting provision under which a prevailing plaintiff can be awarded attorney's fees. Action by Congress is necessary to correct this anomaly. The availability of attorney's fees is essential to ensuring that persons who have been aggrieved by violations of the ACAA can enforce their rights. The inclusion of a fee-shifting provision in the ACAA will permit individuals to serve as private attorneys general, a necessary role on which enforcement of civil rights statutes depends.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 402. CIVIL ACTION.

Section 41705 of title 49, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Civil Action- (1) Any person aggrieved by an air carrier's violation of subsection (a) (including any regulation implementing such subsection) may bring a civil action in the district court of the United States in the district in which the aggrieved person resides, in the district containing the air carrier's principal place of business, or in the district in which the violation took place. Any such action must be commenced within 2 years after the date of the violation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) In any civil action brought by an aggrieved person pursuant to paragraph (1), the plaintiff may obtain both equitable and legal relief, including compensatory and punitive damages. The court in such action shall, in addition to such relief awarded to a prevailing plaintiff, award reasonable attorney's fees, reasonable expert fees, and costs of the action to the plaintiff.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle B--Prevailing Party

SEC. 411. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the `Settlement Encouragement and Fairness Act'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 412. DEFINITION OF PREVAILING PARTY.

(a) In General- Chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`Sec. 9. Definition of `prevailing party'

`(a) In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, or of any judicial or administrative rule, which provides for the recovery of attorney's fees, the term `prevailing party' shall include, in addition to a party who substantially prevails through a judicial or administrative judgment or order, or an enforceable written agreement, a party whose pursuit of a nonfrivolous claim or defense was a catalyst for a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the opposing party that provides any significant part of the relief sought.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b)(1) If an Act, ruling, regulation, interpretation, or rule described in subsection (a) requires a defendant, but not a plaintiff, to satisfy certain different or additional criteria to qualify for the recovery of attorney's fees, subsection (a) shall not affect the requirement that such defendant satisfy such criteria.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) If an Act, ruling, regulation, interpretation, or rule described in subsection (a) requires a party to satisfy certain criteria, unrelated to whether or not such party has prevailed, to qualify for the recovery of attorney's fees, subsection (a) shall not affect the requirement that such party satisfy such criteria.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 1 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`9. Definition of `prevailing party'.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Application- Section 9 of title 1, United States Code, as added by this Act, shall apply to any case pending or filed on or after the date of enactment of this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle C--Arbitration

SEC. 421. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the `Preservation of Civil Rights Protections Act of 2008'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 422. AMENDMENT TO FEDERAL ARBITRATION ACT.

Section 1 of title 9, United States Code, is amended by striking `of seamen' and all that follows through `commerce'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 423. UNENFORCEABILITY OF ARBITRATION CLAUSES IN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS.

(a) Protection of Employee Rights- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any clause of any agreement between an employer and an employee that requires arbitration of a dispute arising under the Constitution or laws of the United States shall not be enforceable.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Exceptions-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) WAIVER OR CONSENT AFTER DISPUTE ARISES- Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to any dispute if, after such dispute arises, the parties involved knowingly and voluntarily consent to submit such dispute to arbitration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS- Subsection (a) shall not preclude the enforcement of the rights or terms of a valid collective bargaining agreement.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 424. APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.

This subtitle and the amendment made by section 422 shall apply with respect to all employment contracts in force before, on, or after the date of enactment of this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle D--Expert Witness Fees

SEC. 431. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this subtitle is to allow recovery of expert fees by prevailing parties under civil rights fee-shifting statutes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 432. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) This subtitle is made necessary by the decision of the Supreme Court in West Virginia University Hospitals Inc. v. Casey, 499 U.S. 83 (1991). In Casey, the Court, per Justice Scalia, ruled that expert fees were not recoverable under section 722 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1988), as amended by the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Awards Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-559; 90 Stat. 2641), because the amendment made by the Civil Rights Attorney's Fees Awards Act of 1976 expressly authorized an award of an `attorney's fee' to a prevailing party but said nothing expressly about expert fees.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) This subtitle is especially necessary both because of the important roles played by experts in civil rights litigation and because expert fees often represent a major cost of the litigation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) In the Civil Rights Act of 1991 (Public Law 102-166; 105 Stat. 1071), Congress amended title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.) and section 722 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1988) to include express authorizations of the recovery of expert fees in successful employment discrimination litigation. It is long past time to ensure that expert fees are available in Federal litigation under other civil rights statutes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 433. EFFECTIVE PROVISIONS.

(a) Section 722 of the Revised Statutes- Section 722 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1988) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (b), by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney's fee'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking subsection (c).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938- Section 16(b) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 216(b)) is amended by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney's fee'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Fair Housing Act- Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in section 812(p), by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney's fee';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in section 813(c)(2), by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney's fee'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in section 814(d)(2), by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney's fee'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) IDEA- Section 615(i)(3)(B) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1415(i)(3)(B)) is amended by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `reasonable attorney's fees'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Civil Rights Act of 1964- Section 204(b) of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000a-3(b)) is amended by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney's fee'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Rehabilitation Act of 1973- Section 505(b) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794a(b)) is amended by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney's fee'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Equal Credit Opportunity Act- Section 706(d) of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. 1691e(d)) is amended by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney's fee'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Fair Credit Reporting Act- The Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in section 616(a)(3), by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney's fees'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in section 617(a)(2), by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney's fees'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Freedom of Information Act- Section 552(a)(4)(E) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney fees'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Privacy Act- Section 552a(g) of title 5, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney fees';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (3)(B), by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney fees'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in paragraph (4)(B), by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney fees'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(k) Truth in Lending Act- Section 130(a)(3) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1640(a)(3)) is amended by inserting `(including expert fees)' after `attorney's fee'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle E--Equal Remedies Act of 2008

SEC. 441. SHORT TITLE.

This subtitle may be cited as the `Equal Remedies Act of 2008'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 442. EQUALIZATION OF REMEDIES.

Section 1977A of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1981a) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (b)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking paragraph (3); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (3); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (c), by striking `section--' and all that follows through the period, and inserting `section, any party may demand a jury trial.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle F--Prohibitions Against Sex Discrimination

SEC. 451. FINDINGS.

Congress makes the following findings:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Women have entered the workforce in record numbers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Even today, women earn significantly lower pay than men for work on jobs that require equal skill, effort, and responsibility and that are performed under similar working conditions. These pay disparities exist in both the private and governmental sectors. In many instances, the pay disparities can only be due to continued intentional discrimination or the lingering effects of past discrimination.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) The existence of such pay disparities--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) depresses the wages of working families who rely on the wages of all members of the family to make ends meet;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) prevents the optimum utilization of available labor resources;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) burdens commerce and the free flow of goods in commerce; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) in many instances, may deprive workers of equal protection on the basis of sex in violation of the 5th and 14th amendments.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) Artificial barriers to the elimination of discrimination in the payment of wages on the basis of sex continue to exist decades after the enactment of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 452. ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT OF EQUAL PAY REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Required Demonstration for Affirmative Defense- Section 6(d)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(d)(1)) is amended by striking `(iv) a differential' and all that follows through the period and inserting the following: `(iv) a differential based on a bona fide factor other than sex, such as education, training or experience, except that this clause shall apply only if--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) the employer demonstrates that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(aa) such factor--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(AA) is job-related with respect to the position in question; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(BB) furthers a legitimate business purpose, except that this item shall not apply where the employee demonstrates that an alternative employment practice exists that would serve the same business purpose without producing such differential and that the employer has refused to adopt such alternative practice; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(bb) such factor was actually applied and used reasonably in light of the asserted justification; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) upon the employer succeeding under subclause (I), the employee fails to demonstrate that the differential produced by the reliance of the employer on such factor is itself the result of discrimination on the basis of sex by the employer.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





An employer that is not otherwise in compliance with this paragraph may not reduce the wages of any employee in order to achieve such compliance.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Application of Provisions- Section 6(d)(1) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(d)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following: `The provisions of this subsection shall apply to applicants for employment if such applicants, upon employment by the employer, would be subject to any provisions of this section.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Elimination of Establishment Requirement- Section 6(d) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(d)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `, within any establishment in which such employees are employed,'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking `in such establishment' each place it appears.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Nonretaliation Provision- Section 15(a)(3) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 215(a)(3)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking `or has' each place it appears and inserting `has'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting before the semicolon the following: `, or has inquired about, discussed, or otherwise disclosed the wages of the employee or another employee, or because the employee (or applicant) has made a charge, testified, assisted, or participated in any manner in an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action under section 6(d)'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Enhanced Penalties- Section 16(b) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 216(b)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by inserting after the first sentence the following: `Any employer who violates section 6(d) shall additionally be liable for such compensatory or punitive damages as may be appropriate, except that the United States shall not be liable for punitive damages.';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in the sentence beginning `An action to', by striking `either of the preceding sentences' and inserting `any of the preceding sentences of this subsection';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in the sentence beginning `No employees shall', by striking `No employees' and inserting `Except with respect to class actions brought to enforce section 6(d), no employee';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) by inserting after the sentence referred to in paragraph (3), the following: `Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law, any action brought to enforce section 6(d) may be maintained as a class action as provided by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) in the sentence beginning `The court in'--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking `in such action' and inserting `in any action brought to recover the liability prescribed in any of the preceding sentences of this subsection'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting before the period the following: `, including expert fees'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Action by Secretary- Section 16(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 216(c)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in the first sentence--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by inserting `or, in the case of a violation of section 6(d), additional compensatory or punitive damages,' before `and the agreement'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting before the period the following: `, or such compensatory or punitive damages, as appropriate';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in the second sentence, by inserting before the period the following: `and, in the case of a violation of section 6(d), additional compensatory or punitive damages';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) in the third sentence, by striking `the first sentence' and inserting `the first or second sentence'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) in the last sentence--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking `commenced in the case' and inserting `commenced--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) in the case';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking the period and inserting `; or'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) in the case of a class action brought to enforce section 6(d), on the date on which the individual becomes a party plaintiff to the class action.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Subtitle G--Protections for Workers

CHAPTER 1--PROTECTION FOR UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS

SEC. 461. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) The National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) (in this chapter referred to as the `NLRA'), enacted in 1935, guarantees the right of employees to organize and to bargain collectively with their employers. The NLRA implements the national labor policy of assuring free choice and encouraging collective bargaining as a means of maintaining industrial peace. The National Labor Relations Board (in this chapter referred to as the `NLRB') was created by Congress to enforce the provisions of the NLRA.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Under section 8 of the NLRA, employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees `in regard to hire or tenure of employment or any term or condition of employment to encourage or discourage membership in any labor organization'. (29 U.S.C. 158(a)(3)). Employers who violate these provisions are subject to a variety of sanctions, including reinstatement of workers found to be illegally discharged because of their union support or activity and provision of backpay to those employees. Such sanctions serve to remedy and deter illegal actions by employers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) In Hoffman Plastic Compounds Inc. v. NLRB, 535 U.S. 137 (2002), the Supreme Court held by a 5 to 4 vote that Federal immigration policy, as articulated in amendments made by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-603; 100 Stat. 3359), prevented the NLRB from awarding backpay to an undocumented immigrant who was discharged in violation of the NLRA because of his support for union representation at his workplace.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) The decision in Hoffman has an impact on all employees, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, who try to improve their working conditions. In the wake of Hoffman Plastics, employers may be more likely to report to the Department of Homeland Security minority workers, regardless of their immigration or citizenship status, who pursue claims under the NLRA against their employers. Fear that employers may retaliate against employees that exercise their rights under the NLRA has a chilling effect on all employees who exercise their labor rights.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The NLRA is not the only Federal employment statute that provides for a backpay award as a remedy for an unlawful discharge. For example, courts routinely award backpay to employees who are found to have been discharged in violation of title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000e et seq.) or the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) (in retaliation for complaining about a failure to comply with the minimum wage). In the wake of the Hoffman decision, defendant employers will now argue that backpay awards to unlawfully discharged undocumented workers are barred under Federal employment statutes and even under State employment statutes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) Because the Hoffman decision prevents the imposition of sanctions on employers who discriminate against undocumented immigrant workers, employers are encouraged to employ such workers for low-paying and dangerous jobs because they have no legal redress for violations of the law. This creates an economic incentive for employers to hire and exploit undocumented workers, which in turn tends to undermine the living standards and working conditions of all Americans, citizens and noncitizens alike.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) The Hoffman decision disadvantages many employers as well. Employers who are forced to compete with firms that hire and exploit undocumented immigrant workers are saddled with an economic disadvantage in the labor marketplace. The unintended creation of an economic inducement for employers to exploit undocumented immigrant workers gives those employers an unfair competitive advantage over employers that treat workers lawfully and fairly.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) The Court's decision in Hoffman makes clear that `any `perceived deficiency in the NLRA's existing remedial arsenal' must be `addressed by congressional action[.]' Hoffman Plastic Compounds Inc. v. NLRB, 535 U.S. 137, 152 (2002) (quoting Sure-Tan, Inc. v. NLRB, 467 U.S. 883, 904 (1984)). In emphasizing the importance of back pay awards, Justice Breyer noted that such awards against employers `help[] to deter unlawful activity that both labor laws and immigration laws seek to prevent'. Hoffman Plastic Compounds Inc. v. NLRB, 535 U.S. 137, 152 (2002). Because back pay awards are designed both to remedy the individual's private right to be free from discrimination as well as to enforce the important public policy against discriminatory employment practices, Congress must take the following corrective action.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 462. CONTINUED APPLICATION OF BACKPAY REMEDIES.

(a) In General- Section 274A(h) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a(h)) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) BACKPAY REMEDIES- Backpay or other monetary relief for unlawful employment practices shall not be denied to a present or former employee as a result of the employer's or the employee's--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) failure to comply with the requirements of this section; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) violation of a provision of Federal law related to the employment verification system described in subsection (b) in establishing or maintaining the employment relationship.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to any failure to comply or any violation that occurs prior to, on, or after the date of enactment of this subtitle.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

CHAPTER 2--FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT AMENDMENTS

SEC. 466. SHORT TITLE.

This chapter may be cited as the `Workers' Minimum Wage and Overtime Rights Restoration Act of 2008'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 467. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following with respect to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) (in this chapter referred to as the `FLSA'):CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) Since 1974, the FLSA has regulated States with respect to the payment of minimum wage and overtime rates. In Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority, 469 U.S. 528 (1985), the Supreme Court upheld Congress's constitutional authority to regulate States in the payment of minimum wages and overtime. The prohibitions of the FLSA remain in effect and continue to apply to the States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) Wage and overtime violations in employment remain a serious problem both nationally and among State and other public and private entities receiving Federal financial assistance, and has invidious effects on its victims, the labor force, and the general welfare and economy as a whole. For example, 7 State governments have no overtime laws at all. Fourteen State governments have minimum wage and overtime laws; however, they exclude employees covered under the FLSA. As such, public employees, since they are covered under the FLSA are not protected under these State laws. Additionally, 4 States have minimum wage and overtime laws which are inferior to the FLSA. Further, the Department of Labor continues to receive a substantial number of wage and overtime charges against State government employers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) Private civil suits by the victims of employment law violations have been a crucial tool for enforcement of the FLSA. In Alden v. Maine, 527 U.S. 706 (1999), however, the Supreme Court held that Congress lacks the power under the 14th amendment to the Constitution to abrogate State sovereign immunity to suits for legal relief by individuals under the FLSA. The Federal Government has an important interest in ensuring that Federal financial assistance is not used to facilitate violations of the FLSA, and private civil suits for monetary relief are a critical tool for advancing that interest.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) After the Alden decision, wage and overtime violations by State employers remain unlawful, but victims of such violations lack important remedies for vindication of their rights available to all other employees covered by the FLSA. In the absence of the deterrent effect that such remedies provide, there is a great likelihood that State entities carrying out federally funded programs and activities will use Federal financial assistance to violate the FLSA, or that the Federal financial assistance will otherwise subsidize or facilitate FLSA violations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) The Supreme Court has upheld Congress's authority to condition receipt of Federal financial assistance on acceptance by State or other covered entities of conditions regarding or related to the use of those funds, as in Cannon v. University of Chicago, 441 U.S. 677 (1979).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) The Court has further recognized that Congress may require State entities, as a condition of receipt of Federal financial assistance, to waive their State sovereign immunity to suits for a violation of Federal law, as in College Savings Bank v. Florida Prepaid Postsecondary Education Expense Board, 527 U.S. 666 (1999).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(7) In the wake of the Alden decision, it is necessary, in order to foster greater compliance with, and adequate remedies for violations of, the FLSA, particularly in federally funded programs or activities operated by State entities, to require State entities to consent to a waiver of State sovereign immunity as a condition of receipt of such Federal financial assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(8) The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that State sovereign immunity does not bar suits for prospective injunctive relief brought against State officials acting in their official capacity, as in Ex parte Young (209 U.S. 123 (1908)). The injunctive relief available in such suits under the FLSA will continue to be the same as that which was available under those laws prior to enactment of this chapter.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 468. PURPOSES.

The purposes of this chapter are--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) to provide to State employees in programs or activities that receive or use Federal financial assistance the same rights and remedies for practices violating the FLSA as are available to other employees under the FLSA, and that were available to State employees prior to the Supreme Court's decision in Alden v. Maine, 527 U.S. 706 (1999);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) to provide that the receipt or use of Federal financial assistance for a program or activity constitutes a State waiver of sovereign immunity from suits by employees within that program or activity for violations of the FLSA; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) to affirm that suits for injunctive relief are available against State officials in their official capacities for violations of the FLSA.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 469. REMEDIES FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

Section 16 of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 216) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f)(1) A State's receipt or use of Federal financial assistance for any program or activity of a State shall constitute a waiver of sovereign immunity, under the 11th amendment to the Constitution or otherwise, to a suit brought by an employee of that program or activity under this Act for equitable, legal, or other relief authorized under this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) In this subsection, the term `program or activity' has the meaning given the term in section 309 of the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 (42 U.S.C. 6107).'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink