Stop Sweatshops Act of 1997
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (22 Apr 1997): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
What this bill does
The Stop Sweatshops Act of 1997 would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to address labor law violations in the garment industry. It would make manufacturers—including retailers who contract out apparel production—civilly liable for wage-and-hour, child labor, and industrial homework violations committed by their contractors, to the same extent as the contractors themselves. Manufacturers would also be jointly and severally liable to workers alongside contractors for such violations. Separately, the bill would add civil penalties of up to $1,000 per employee for failure to keep required payroll records, and penalties of $10,000 (or $15,000 for repeat offenses) for submitting fraudulent payroll records to conceal violations.
The bill would primarily affect garment manufacturers, retailers, and contractors involved in producing apparel and related items such as clothing, hats, gloves, and hosiery. It aims to extend legal responsibility up the supply chain, so manufacturers cannot avoid accountability for labor violations occurring at contracted facilities, while also giving workers a direct means to recover unpaid wages from manufacturers as well as contractors.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on April 22, 1997, by Senator Edward Kennedy and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources. It did not receive a vote in the 105th Congress, and no further action followed.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Stop Sweatshops Act of 1997 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide for the civil liability of manufacturers (including retailers) for sweatshop conditions maintained by their contractors in the garment industry. Sets forth civil penalties for violation of recordkeeping and payroll accounting requirements.
Timeline
22 Apr 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources.
Common questions
- What does S. 626 do?
- The Stop Sweatshops Act of 1997 would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to address labor law violations in the garment industry. It would make manufacturers—including retailers who contract out apparel production—civilly liable for wage-and-hour, child labor, and industrial homework violations committed by their contractors, to the same extent as the contractors themselves. Manufacturers would also be jointly and severally liable to workers alongside contractors for such violations. Separately, the bill would add civil penalties of up to $1,000 per employee for failure to keep required payroll records, and penalties of $10,000 (or $15,000 for repeat offenses) for submitting fraudulent payroll records to conceal violations. The bill would primarily affect garment manufacturers, retailers, and contractors involved in producing apparel and related items such as clothing, hats, gloves, and hosiery. It aims to extend legal responsibility up the supply chain, so manufacturers cannot avoid accountability for labor violations occurring at contracted facilities, while also giving workers a direct means to recover unpaid wages from manufacturers as well as contractors. The bill was introduced in the Senate on April 22, 1997, by Senator Edward Kennedy and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources. It did not receive a vote in the 105th Congress, and no further action followed.
- Has S. 626 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 626. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 626?
- S. 626 was sponsored by Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA] (D-MA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 626?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Labor and Human Resources. (22 Apr 1997).
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Stop Sweatshops Act of 1996
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