Garment Consumer's Right-to-Know Act of 2005
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (27 Mar 2006): Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
What this bill does
H.R. 4613, the Garment Consumer's Right-to-Know Act of 2005, would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to require apparel manufacturers to keep detailed records about the labor conditions under which their products are made, including information about contractors' facilities, employees' ages, hours, and wages, ownership interests in manufacturing and contracting firms, and any labor-law violations or complaints over the prior five years. Manufacturers would have to obtain this information from contractors by contract and enforce those contracts. Starting one year after enactment, this data would be submitted to the Secretary of Labor and made publicly available in a searchable online database.
The bill primarily affects apparel manufacturers and their contractors, who would face new recordkeeping, disclosure, and contracting obligations, as well as civil penalties (up to $5,000 per employee for noncompliance, and $10,000–$15,000 for fraudulent submissions). It also creates a private right of action allowing garment workers, consumer organizations, and labor unions to sue manufacturers or contractors for violations, with the possibility of damages and attorney fees. The stated goal is to give consumers, workers, and the public better information about sweatshop conditions in the garment industry.
The bill was introduced on December 16, 2005, by Rep. Nydia Velázquez and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 109th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Garment Consumer's Right-to-Know Act of 2005 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to require apparel manufacturers to: (1) maintain, for at least three years, certain records and information with respect to the employees and homeworkers of each contractor they engage; (2) enter contracts that require such contractors to provide them with such information about working conditions; and (3) submit copies of such records and contracts to the Secretary of Labor, who shall make such information fully and freely available to the public, through printed and electronic databases searchable on the Internet. Sets forth civil penalties for violations of such requirements.
Timeline
27 Mar 2006
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4613 do?
- H.R. 4613, the Garment Consumer's Right-to-Know Act of 2005, would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to require apparel manufacturers to keep detailed records about the labor conditions under which their products are made, including information about contractors' facilities, employees' ages, hours, and wages, ownership interests in manufacturing and contracting firms, and any labor-law violations or complaints over the prior five years. Manufacturers would have to obtain this information from contractors by contract and enforce those contracts. Starting one year after enactment, this data would be submitted to the Secretary of Labor and made publicly available in a searchable online database. The bill primarily affects apparel manufacturers and their contractors, who would face new recordkeeping, disclosure, and contracting obligations, as well as civil penalties (up to $5,000 per employee for noncompliance, and $10,000–$15,000 for fraudulent submissions). It also creates a private right of action allowing garment workers, consumer organizations, and labor unions to sue manufacturers or contractors for violations, with the possibility of damages and attorney fees. The stated goal is to give consumers, workers, and the public better information about sweatshop conditions in the garment industry. The bill was introduced on December 16, 2005, by Rep. Nydia Velázquez and referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 109th Congress.
- Has H.R. 4613 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4613. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4613?
- H.R. 4613 was sponsored by Rep. Velazquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-12] (D-NY), with 18 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4613?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections. (27 Mar 2006).
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