Alex Padilla (D-CA)
Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025
A Democratic bill with 26 Democratic cosponsors · See all 27 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4421-4422)
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 "Asuncion Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act of 2025," directs the Secretary of Labor to create safety standards to protect workers from heat-related injuries and illnesses. It requires employers to provide a workplace free from conditions that could cause death or serious harm from heat stress. The Secretary is tasked with developing protective programs that include measures like engineering controls, administrative changes, and personal protective equipment. The Act also mandates specific core practices such as providing water, rest breaks, and shade. Additionally, it includes provisions for training, heat illness prevention plans, and whistleblower protections. The goal is to establish a high degree of health and safety protection for employees facing heat stress.
Yes
- Scored +7
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands federal authority by directing the Secretary of Labor to establish new occupational safety standards.
- Scored +6
Would union members be better off under this?
The bill enhances worker protections and provides clear rights regarding pay during heat-related rest periods.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill includes specific transparency requirements for the rulemaking process.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Would business owners be better off under this?
Employers face increased operational costs related to mandatory heat protection and training requirements.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Workplace Safety: Employers must provide employment and a place of employment free from conditions that may reasonably be anticipated to cause death or serious physical harm from heat stress (Section 2).
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Comprehensive Heat Protections: The Secretary is directed to establish a maximum protective program to regulate exposure and prevent heat-related illness and injury (Section 3(a)(1)).
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Access to Essential Resources: Employers may be required to provide suitably cool potable water or appropriate hydration, periodic paid rest breaks, and access to shade or suitable cool-down spaces (Section 3(a)(3)(C)).
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Protection of Income: The bill requires that employees receive compensation at their regular rate for required durations such as rest breaks, medical removal protection, and training (Section 3(a)(4)(A)).
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Clear Communication: Training, posters, labels, and written plans must be provided in English and a language understood by the employees, tailored to their vocabulary and literacy levels (Section 3(a)(4)(B)).
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Whistleblower Protections: Employees who believe they have been discriminated against regarding matters related to this Act can file a complaint with the Secretary (Section 4(d)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Employer Costs: The bill notes that employers may be required to provide personal protective equipment, such as water-cooled or air-cooled garments, at the employer's expense (Section 3(a)(3)(iii)).
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Mandatory Training and Planning: Employers may be required to implement specific training for employees and supervisors, as well as develop and maintain written heat illness and injury prevention plans (Section 3(a)(3)(v)-(vi)).
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.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal authority by directing the Secretary of Labor to establish new occupational safety standards. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill includes specific transparency requirements for the rulemaking process.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The bill enhances worker protections and provides clear rights regarding pay during heat-related rest periods. Would business owners be better off under this? — Employers face increased operational costs related to mandatory heat protection and training requirements.
- 6/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/29/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/16/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4421-4422)
- 25 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Tammy BaldwinDemocrat · Wisconsin
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Catherine Cortez MastoDemocrat · Nevada
John FettermanDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Kirsten GillibrandDemocrat · New York
Ruben GallegoDemocrat · Arizona
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Mazie HironoDemocrat · Hawaii
Martin HeinrichDemocrat · New Mexico
Mark KellyDemocrat · Arizona
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Ben LujánDemocrat · New Mexico
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Patty MurrayDemocrat · Washington
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
John ReedDemocrat · Rhode Island
Bernie SandersIndependent · Vermont
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland
Ron WydenDemocrat · Oregon
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island
Elizabeth WarrenDemocrat · Massachusetts