117 S3747 IS: Striking Workers Healthcare Protection Act U.S. Senate 2022-03-03 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 3747IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESMarch 3, 2022Mr. Brown (for himself, Mr. Casey, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Booker, Ms. Smith, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Whitehouse, Mr. Wyden, and Mr. Padilla) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsA BILLTo prohibit an employer from terminating the coverage of an employee under a group health plan while the employee is engaged in a lawful strike, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Striking Workers Healthcare Protection Act.

2.

Continuation of coverage under a group health plan during a lawful strike

(a)

In general

Section 8(a) of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 158(a)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (5), by striking the period and inserting ; and; and(2)by adding at the end the following:(6)to terminate or significantly alter the coverage of an employee under a group health plan during the period that such employee is engaged in a lawful strike..(b)

Definitions

Section 2 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 152) is amended by adding at the end the following:(15)The term group health plan has the meaning given the term under section 607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1167(1))..(c)

Penalties

Section 12 of the National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 162) is amended—(1)by striking Sec. 12. Any person and inserting the following:

12.

Penalties

(a)

Violations for interference with the board

Any person

; and(2)by adding at the end the following:(b)

Civil penalties for unfair labor practices related to coverage under a group health plan during a lawful strike

Any employer who commits an unfair labor practice within the meaning of section 8(a)(6) shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for each such violation, except that, with respect to such an unfair labor practice that coincides with the discharge of an employee or that results in other serious economic harm to an employee, the Board shall double the amount of such penalty, to an amount not to exceed $100,000, in any case where the employer has within the preceding 5 years committed another such violation of section 8(a)(6). A civil penalty under this subsection shall be in addition to any other remedy ordered by the Board.(c)

Considerations

In determining the amount of any civil penalty under subsection (b) or (d), the Board shall consider—(1)the gravity of the actions of the employer resulting in the penalty, including the impact of such actions on the charging party or on other persons seeking to exercise rights guaranteed by the Act;(2)the size of the employer;(3)the history of previous unfair labor practices or other actions by the employer resulting in a penalty; and(4)the public interest.(d)

Director and officer liability

If the Board determines, based on the particular facts and circumstances presented, that a director or officer’s personal liability is warranted, a civil penalty for a violation described in subsection (b) may also be assessed against any director or officer of the employer who directed or committed the violation, or had actual or constructive knowledge of and the authority to prevent the violation and failed to prevent the violation..