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EMPOWER Act—Part 2

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 27, 2019

Ending the Monopoly of Power Over Workplace harassment through Education and Reporting Act--Part 2 or the EMPOWER Act--Part 2

This bill modifies the tax treatment of expenses and payments related to workplace harassment and employment discrimination.

The bill prohibits a tax deduction for amounts paid or incurred by the taxpayer

pursuant to any judgment or award in litigation related to workplace harassment, including sexual harassment;

for expenses and attorney's fees in connection with the litigation resulting in the judgment or award (other than expenses or fees paid by the workplace harassment plaintiff or claimant); or

for insurance covering the defense or liability of the underlying claims in the litigation.

The bill also (1) excludes from gross income amounts received in connection with a judgment, award, or settlement related to workplace harassment, including sexual harassment or other unlawful discrimination; and (2) limits the taxation of and the application of the alternative minimum tax to compensation received under a settlement or judgment for employment discrimination.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
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Who introduced it

Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA] · D–CA

Committees

  • Finance Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

  2. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Jan 3, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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