Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB2312

Introduced
3/24/25  

Caption

Tipped Employee Protection Act

Impact

The proposed changes could lead to increased financial protection for tipped employees by ensuring that their total compensation—including tips and other cash wages—meets or exceeds the federal minimum wage. By providing employers with the option to determine pay periods for tipped employee calculations, the legislation aims to introduce flexibility into wage management, potentially easing administrative burdens on businesses while ensuring that employees receive fair compensation.

Summary

House Bill 2312, titled the 'Tipped Employee Protection Act', aims to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) by revising the definition of 'tipped employee'. The bill seeks to redefine the criteria that categorizes employees as tipped, with a focus on ensuring that these workers receive fair wages. This change is significant, as it has the potential to alter wage requirements for a considerable segment of the workforce in service industries where tipping is prevalent, such as restaurants and hospitality.

Contention

Discussions around HB 2312 may raise concerns about its implications for businesses, particularly small establishments that depend heavily on tips as part of their compensation structure. Critics may argue that stricter definitions and requirements could lead to financial strain on business owners, potentially resulting in reduced hours, job cuts, or increased prices for consumers. Meanwhile, advocates emphasize the potential for improved livelihoods for workers who rely on tips and often earn below minimum wage due to the existing loopholes in the FLSA.

Congress_id

119-HR-2312

Policy_area

Labor and Employment

Introduced_date

2025-03-24

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB1612

Tipped Employee Protection Act

US SB781

Tipped Employee Protection Act

US HB9624

TIPS Act Tipped Income Protection and Support Act

US HB5369

Tipped Worker Protection Act

US HB7428

Earned Wage Access Consumer Protection Act

US HB1263

Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act

US HB9594

Protecting Taxpayers’ Wallets Act

US HB17

Paycheck Fairness Act This bill addresses wage discrimination on the basis of sex, which is defined to include pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. Specifically, it limits an employer's defense that a pay differential is based on a factor other than sex to only bona fide job-related factors in wage discrimination claims, enhances nonretaliation prohibitions, and makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages. The bill also increases civil penalties for violations of equal pay provisions. Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs must train EEOC employees and other affected parties on wage discrimination. The bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a grant program to provide training in negotiation skills related to compensation and equitable working conditions, (2) conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, and (3) make available information on wage discrimination to assist the public in understanding and addressing such discrimination. The bill establishes the National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. It also establishes the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to address compliance, public education, and enforcement of equal pay laws. Finally, the bill requires the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation and other employment data according to the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in enforcing laws prohibiting pay discrimination.

US HB6157

Protections and Transparency in the Workplace Act

US HB4889

Raise the Wage Act of 2023

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.