S.Amdt. 4629

The amendment, titled the Time Off to Vote Act, aims to change the original bill by striking all text after the enacting clause and replacing it with requirements for paid voting leave.

Its purpose is to ensure employees can participate in Federal elections by establishing the following:

• Paid Leave: Employers must provide at least 2 consecutive hours of paid leave upon an employee's request to vote, return a mail ballot in person, or perform other voting-related activities.

• Employer Rules: Employers can decide when the two-hour period happens, including during early voting. Lunch or other breaks cannot be counted as part of the 2-hour leave.

• Protections: Employees cannot lose accrued benefits for taking this leave. It is illegal for employers to interfere with, deny, or discriminate against employees for exercising this right or for opposing unlawful practices and testifying in related proceedings.

• Enforcement: The Secretary of Labor has investigative authority and can assess civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation.

• Scope: This applies to employers engaged in commerce or industry affecting commerce who employ 25 or more employees during a calendar year. It does not replace State or local laws that provide more beneficial leave terms.