A Democratic bill with 28 Democratic cosponsors · See all 28 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Don't STEAL Act," aims to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. It seeks to increase both criminal and civil penalties regarding wage theft. The legislation establishes a right to full compensation for employees engaged in commerce. It mandates that employers pay the higher of the rate specified in employment agreements or the rate required by Federal or State law. Additionally, the bill introduces specific prison sentences and fines for willful violations regarding unpaid wages or overtime.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Increased penalties for wage theft provide significant protection for low-income workers.
- Scored +6
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill enhances the enforcement of wage and overtime standards central to union interests.
- Scored +5
Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay?
The bill ensures employees receive the higher of their agreed-upon rate or the legal minimum, effectively protecting wage floors.
The opposite
- Scored -6
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill introduces significant criminal liability and potential imprisonment for wage-related violations.
- Scored -3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Small businesses may face increased legal risks and criminal liability for wage discrepancies.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Right to Full Compensation: Under Section 2(a), employees engaged in commerce or production are entitled to receive compensation that is at least the greater of their contract/collective bargaining agreement rate or the required Federal or State wage rate. This ensures workers are paid according to their specific agreements or the law.
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Increased Penalties for Wage Theft: Section 3(a) introduces criminal penalties, including fines and potential imprisonment of up to 5 years for willful violations involving unpaid wages or overtime greater than $1,000. This provides a stricter deterrent against employers who do not pay what they owe.
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Enforcement Funding: Section 3(c) directs that sums collected from fines be applied by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor to the costs of enforcing wage-related sections. This provides dedicated resources for enforcing these compensation rights.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Criminal Liability for Employers: Section 3(a) establishes that any person who willfully violates wage requirements can face fines and imprisonment for up to 5 years (for amounts over $1,000) or up to 1 year (for amounts equal to or less than $1,000).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increased penalties for wage theft provide significant protection for low-income workers. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill enhances the enforcement of wage and overtime standards central to union interests. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill protects wage standards that affect a broad range of earners. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill introduces significant criminal liability and potential imprisonment for wage-related violations.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay? — The bill ensures employees receive the higher of their agreed-upon rate or the legal minimum, effectively protecting wage floors. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — By enforcing contract rates, the bill strengthens the implementation of collective bargaining agreements. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Small businesses may face increased legal risks and criminal liability for wage discrepancies.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal enforcement authority and criminal penalties via the Department of Labor.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By penalizing wage theft, the bill helps ensure workers keep the earnings they are owed, aiding poverty reduction.
- 8/3/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 7/22/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/21/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/9/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 21 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.
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Brendan BoyleDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Becca BalintDemocrat · Vermont
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Sheila Cherfilus-McCormickDemocrat · Florida
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Dwight EvansDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Marie PerezDemocrat · Washington
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Ro KhannaDemocrat · California
John LarsonDemocrat · Connecticut
George LatimerDemocrat · New York
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Donald NorcrossDemocrat · New Jersey
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDemocrat · New York
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Emilia SykesDemocrat · Ohio
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey