Bill · H.R. 5048· House(119-HR-5048)
Don’t STEAL Act
- Introduced
- 8/26/2025
- Last activity
- 8/26/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Seth Magaziner
- Cosponsors
- - 28 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Don't STEAL Act," aims to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. It seeks to increase both criminal and civil penalties regarding wage theft. The legislation establishes a right to full compensation for employees engaged in commerce. It mandates that employers pay the higher of the rate specified in employment agreements or the rate required by Federal or State law. Additionally, the bill introduces specific prison sentences and fines for willful violations regarding unpaid wages or overtime.
Yes· 3 of 7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
Increased penalties for wage theft provide significant protection for low-income workers.
Would union members be better off under this?+6
The bill enhances the enforcement of wage and overtime standards central to union interests.
Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay?+5
The bill ensures employees receive the higher of their agreed-upon rate or the legal minimum, effectively protecting wage floors.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-6
The bill introduces significant criminal liability and potential imprisonment for wage-related violations.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-3
Small businesses may face increased legal risks and criminal liability for wage discrepancies.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Right to Full Compensation: Under Section 2(a), employees engaged in commerce or production are entitled to receive compensation that is at least the greater of their contract/collective bargaining agreement rate or the required Federal or State wage rate. This ensures workers are paid according to their specific agreements or the law.
-
Increased Penalties for Wage Theft: Section 3(a) introduces criminal penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment of up to 5 years for willful violations involving unpaid wages or overtime greater than $1,000. This provides a stricter deterrent against employers who do not pay what they owe.
-
Enforcement Funding: Section 3(c) directs that sums collected from fines be applied by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor to the costs of enforcing wage-related sections. This provides dedicated resources for enforcing these compensation rights.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Criminal Liability for Employers: Section 3(a) establishes that any person who willfully violates wage requirements can face fines and imprisonment for up to 5 years (for amounts over $1,000) or up to 1 year (for amounts equal to or less than $1,000).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Union Workers+6Good For Middle Class Households+4Good For Business Owners-6
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Minimum Wage+5Improves Union Protections+4Improves Small Business Support-3
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+5
- 8/3/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 7/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 21 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Brendan BoyleDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Becca BalintDemocrat · Vermont
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormickDemocrat · Florida
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Dwight EvansDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Marie PerezDemocrat · Washington
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Ro KhannaDemocrat · California
John LarsonDemocrat · Connecticut
George LatimerDemocrat · New York
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Donald NorcrossDemocrat · New Jersey
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDemocrat · New York
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Emilia SykesDemocrat · Ohio
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey