Bill · H.R. 9008· House(119-HR-9008)
Worker Rights and Support Act
- Introduced
- 5/21/2026
- Last activity
- 5/21/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Bonnie Watson Coleman
- Cosponsors
- - 13 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Worker Rights and Support Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to require employers to provide specific breaks for employees. It mandates 30-minute meal breaks every 6 hours and rest or restroom breaks every 4 hours. It also requires employers to provide medical breaks of up to 20 minutes when requested due to a medical condition. These rules do not replace collective bargaining agreements or state laws that offer more protection. The bill also establishes penalties for employers who violate these break requirements.
Yes· 3 of 20
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+8
Specifically guarantees paid medical breaks for those with communicated medical conditions.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
Provides mandated paid breaks and premium pay for on-call meal breaks, benefiting hourly workers.
Would union members be better off under this?+6
Protects collective bargaining agreements while establishing a federal floor for break rights.
The opposite
Would business owners be better off under this?-5
Imposes new costs for paid breaks and increases legal liability for non-compliance.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?-3
Increases compliance costs and potential legal liabilities for small business employers regarding break mandates.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Guaranteed Meal Breaks: Employees would be entitled to at least 30 minutes for a meal every 6 hours of work (Section 8(a)(1)).
-
Payment for On-Call Breaks: If an employee cannot leave the site or is not fully relieved of work during a meal break, the employer must pay them at least one and one-half times their regular rate (Section 8(a)(2)(B)).
-
Rest and Restroom Access: Employees are guaranteed a break every 4 hours that is at least 10 minutes or a reasonable time to use the nearest functioning and accessible restroom, which is paid at the regular rate (Section 8(b)(1)-(2)).
-
Medical Accommodations: Employees can receive paid breaks up to 20 minutes for medical conditions communicated to the employer by a health care provider (Section 8(c)(1)-(2)).
-
Legal Recourse: The bill allows for legal or equitable relief for employees when an employer violates these break provisions (Section 2(b)(2)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Unpaid Meal Breaks: Under general rules, employers are not required to pay employees for the 30-minute meal break (Section 8(a)(2)(A)).
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 People With Disabilities+8Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Union Workers+6Good For Immigrants+5Good For Men+5Good For Middle Aged+5Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For Women+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Students+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Native Americans+3Good For White Americans+3Good For Business Owners-5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+6Improves Poverty Reduction+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+4
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Union Protections+5Improves Small Business Support-3
- 9/14/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 7/14/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/21/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 8 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.
Alma AdamsDemocrat · North Carolina
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Bennie ThompsonDemocrat · Mississippi
Mark TakanoDemocrat · California
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida